Merkel push for German lockdown blocked as death toll passes 100,000
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BERLIN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 22: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L), speaks with Olaf Scholz (Vice Chancellor)
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The Covid-19 crisis in Germany continues to shock the country with Thursday’s grim announcement that more than 100,000 people have died.
However, the new coalition government in place is refusing to be locked down for now.
Germany had a record number of Covid new cases reported on Thursday with over 75,000 new infections in the last 24 hoursThe death toll is now at 100,119. 351 additional people also died of the virus on Wednesday.
Officials in government have been closely monitoring the rising number of cases for many weeks. According to reports, Angela Merkel, the outgoing Chancellor of Germany, pushed for two-weeks lockdown at a Tuesday meeting with members from the country’s coalition government.
Bild reports that the Social Democrats, Greens, and left-leaning Social Democrats formed a new government coalition. They opposed the idea and opted instead to see if tighter Covid restrictions, announced last week, would help reduce infections.
Merkel suggested a lockdown that would have closed shops and bars on Thursday. The incoming government however rejected this idea saying that it could have been seen as “bad politics” and would be misinterpreted by the people. Bild reported Wednesday.
Obligatory vaccination
From L to R: Christian Lindner, Olaf Scholz, German Social Democrats (SPD), and Annalene Baerbock, Greens Party, pose following the presentation of their jointly-agreed upon coalition contract to media in Berlin on November 24, 2021.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Scholz indicated that Covid was a priority after Wednesday’s announcement of the deal and the policy ambitions. In announcing the agreement, Scholz stated that Germany had a serious virus problem and would be expanding its vaccination program.
“Vaccination will get rid of the pandemic. Scholz suggested that vaccination should be mandatory in all institutions where vulnerable people are being cared for.
Christian Lindner (incoming Finance Minister) stated that Germans need to avoid unnecessary contact in the winter, “to protect our health during this pandemic.”
During the fourth wave of new cases, Germany already has tightened Covid regulations.
Many states in Germany have already restricted access to public spaces like bars, restaurants, movie theaters and museums under “2G rules,” restricting access to only those who are vaccinated — “geimpft” in German — or recovered, “genesen.” Numerous German major Christmas markets have adopted 2G rules this year, and have not been cancelled.
New measures were put in place on Wednesday that impose “3G” rules for public transport. This means that public space is now restricted to those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered.
Germany may not be the only country to require compulsory vaccinations. France, the U.K. and Italy have all adopted or are introducing compulsory vaccinations in certain sectors such as healthcare, home care, and workers.
However, mandatory vaccinations remain a controversial topic and are subject to ethical concerns. Germany may face opposition, just as countries around the world.
Learn more Are Covid vaccine mandates ethical? Here’s what medical experts think
Germany tried to promote voluntary Covid vaccination, but it still has the lowest Covid immunization rate in Western Europe with only 68.1%.
The virus is more difficult to control this year for Germany. Germany has been widely recognized for its handling of the initial pandemic.
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