Weekly proceedings in the German federal parliament, the Bundestag
Germany Extends COVID-19 Measures and Introduces New Regulations
Germany has announced several extensions and new regulations to manage the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a breakdown of the latest developments:
Committees and Legal Framework
The Committee for Election Review, Immunity, and Rules of Procedure was established, and its members were elected. The German government also adjusted its Infection Protection Act in 2021, basing tougher anti-pandemic measures on the hospitalization incidence rate rather than solely the infection incidence.
Vaccination Progress and Hospitalization
More than two-thirds of the German population is now vaccinated, resulting in less strain on hospitals than last year. This progress has allowed the government to avoid extending the epidemic situation of national significance, meaning intrusive measures such as curfews, lockdowns, or comprehensive school closures will not be implemented.
3G/2G Regulations
Germany has maintained 3G/2G regulations to control access to public spaces. These rules, which grant access to vaccinated, recovered, or tested individuals (3G), vaccinated or recovered persons only (2G), or add testing to the 2G requirements (2G+), are linked to hospitalization incidence thresholds and applied to venues like restaurants, events, and leisure facilities.
Forgery of Vaccination Certificates
The German government has taken strict measures to combat and criminalize the forgery of COVID-19 vaccination certificates, given their importance in enforcing 3G/2G rules. Penalties for falsification include prison sentences and fines.
Supportive Measures
Additional supportive measures include the early adoption of widespread testing, contact bans limiting public gatherings and physical distancing, quarantine requirements for all travelers, and simplified access to basic security until March 20, 2022.
Other Regulations
The suspension of the annual minimum income threshold in the Artists' Social Security Act is extended until the end of 2022. Special regulations for the entitlement claim for parents of children in care facilities are also extended until March 20, 2022.
New Bill and Committees
A new bill is being introduced this week that allows the federal states to implement moderate measures such as mask requirements, 3G/2G regulations, or the collection of contact data until March 20, 2022. Three committees were established on November 11, 2021: the Main Committee, Petitions Committee, and Committee for Election Review, Immunity, and Rules of Procedure.
Further Developments
The Main Committee, led by the Chairperson of the Bundestag, discusses drafts and submits resolution recommendations to the Plenum. The Petitions Committee resumes its work to allow citizens to exercise their right to petitions during the transition period after the federal election. The DIVI register is expanded to record capacities for children, and doctors will be liable for issuing false health certificates in the future. Measures for the Corona Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance are also extended until March 20, 2022.
Penalties for Forgery of Certificates
The use of forged vaccination certificates and test certificates will be comprehensively punished. Authorization for certain employers to process employee data for COVID-19 vaccination or serological status is also extended until March 20, 2022.
These comprehensive measures reflect Germany’s evolving pandemic strategy from prevention to containment and treatment, adjusting policies as scientific understanding and the epidemiological situation change.
- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic management in Germany involves policy-and-legislation adjustments, as seen in the changes made to the Infection Protection Act in 2021 and the new bill being introduced this week.
- The forgery of COVID-19 vaccination certificates is a serious offense in Germany, with penalties including prison sentences and fines, due to their importance in enforcing 3G/2G regulations in politics and general-news contexts.
