BAG puts other countries on quarantine list +++ First Omikron cases in Germany and Italy
German Academy of Sciences wants immediate comprehensive contact restrictions
The corona situation in Germany is dramatic. In order to counter the rapid increase in new infections, the influential National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina recommends immediate extensive contact restrictions. “From a medical and epidemiological point of view, it is immediately effective to significantly reduce the number of contacts for a few weeks from the beginning of the coming week,” said the statement. “Due to the decreasing immunity, these measures must temporarily also apply to vaccinated and convalescents who die during this time receive a booster vaccination. When.” New virus variants made quick and consistent action even more urgent.
The vaccination campaign must be massively stepped up and mandatory vaccination introduced in stages. Unvaccinated people should be vaccinated as soon as possible; they have to be motivated to do so or made responsible. A quickly introduced job-related compulsory vaccination for doctors, nurses and medical professionals is important. In total, around 30 million third vaccinations should be made possible by Christmas in addition to first and second vaccinations, so Leopoldina is dying.
In the meantime, strict contact reductions are necessary in the private sector, indoors and in situations with many people, for example at events, in bars and clubs. A general mask requirement must apply where personal contacts cannot be avoided. The 2G rules would have to be consistently enforced and the AHA-L rules (distance, hygiene, everyday mask and ventilation) observed.
“If implemented strictly, this option would end the exponential increase in new infections in the fourth wave and thus counteract the overloading of the health system.” Consistent enforcement of the 2G rules alone would be less effective if one had to reckon with an investigation in the fourth wave and several dropouts, i.e. the experts, including the Berlin virologist Christian Drosten.