From Rotterdam to Vienna, the return of lockdowns unleashes tensions in Europe
Germany overwhelmed by cases, lockdown in Bavaria
Germany is in the thick of it one of the most acute crises on a continental scale, with increases in infections up to peaks of over 60 thousand new cases a day and hospital structures increasingly on the verge of collapse. The balance sheet of the fourth wave, defined as “dramatic” by the canceller Angela Merkel, has already triggered containment measures reminiscent of those of the old Covid waves.
The Bundesrat, the body that acts as a link between the government and the 16 Länder, has approved a new package of containers to contain the rise of cases without forcing a new lockdown. The pillar of the agreement is the application of the so-called 2G, acronym of geimpft oder genesen a system that allows freedom of movement and recreational activities whoever is vaccinated (geimpft) or cured (genese), in all federal states where the incidence of hospitalization reaches an average of 3 hospitalized people per 100 thousand inhabitants.
If the rate doubles, 6 people hospitalize every 100 thousand inhabitants, the 2G Plus is triggered: a vaccination or recovery must add a tampon with negative results. On a local scale, the straits are even more rigid. Bavaria had to give up Christmas markets for the second year in a row, with heavy repercussions on tourism, while Minister-President Markus Söder imposed lockdowns in the most critical districts of the federal state. Saxony has closed bars and nightclubs, with the aim of limiting contact as much as possible. Similar measures are likely to end up being adopted in other Länder as well, before or after any under a critical scenario.
Söder himself, at the head of a Land of 13 million inhabitants, was among the leaders who called for the arrival of a vaccination obligation for all citizens. Like Austria, Germany suffers from an insufficient share of the vaccinated population (69.7%, compared to Italy’s 77% as of November 21) and strong differences between the various Länder on the total doses administered.
The vaccination requirement could accelerate population coverage, although the reactions triggered in the Netherlands are an indicative wake-up call. Already in August, the streets of Berlin were filled with thousands of protesters against vaccinations and anti-Covid restrictions.
