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Germany has announced a series of new measures that will take effect “no later than” 28 December in an attempt to bring a rampant increase in new infections under control.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst and Berlin reigning mayor Franziska Giffey held a press conference on new measures against the coronavirus.
Scholz said the Omicron variant would soon cause infections to skyrocket. “Covid-19 will not take a Christmas break,” he said.
The chancellor said that the fourth wave of infections was now under control, but warned that the fifth wave was just around the corner.
Private gatherings will be limited to 10 people even for those who have recovered from the virus or who have been vaccinated. Children under 14 are not included in this number. Clubs and discos will remain closed.
The “2G rule” – which stipulates that people must either be vaccinated or recover from Covid-19 – will apply to cinemas and theaters.
In addition, the sale of fireworks will be banned on New Year’s Eve, and there will be a parish ban on December 31.
Strict restrictions for unvaccinated people will remain – with the 3G rule [having to be either vaccinated, recovered or able to produce a negative test] applies at work and in public transport, and tight contact restrictions that also apply over Christmas.
All measures decided on Tuesday should not begin until after Christmas, Scholz said, adding that recent years have shown that Easter and Christmas are not big spreaders.
The government aims to administer another 30 million booster vaccinations by the end of January, Scholz said. As an intermediate goal, it is hoped that the total vaccination rate in the population will increase to at least 80%.
The various heads of Germany’s individual states will meet again on January 7 to discuss further steps, which is also when further financial support for companies will be discussed again.