Berlin (dpa/bb) – The Berlin Senate does not rule out a tightening of the corona measures if the number of infections increases in autumn. However, this requires an amendment to the Federal Infection Protection Act, said Health Senator Ulrike Gote (Greens) on Tuesday after a Senate session. It is necessary to provide the countries with a kind of toolbox so that they can react appropriately to a new development of the pandemic.
Depending on the infection situation, measures such as a mask requirement in closed rooms, for example in retail and gastronomy, or an extension of the mask requirement that still applies in buses and trains, could make sense, says Gote. As further examples, she mentioned access restrictions to major events or the obligation to wear masks and proof of testing for employees and visitors to hospitals and care facilities. “These would be measures that we as countries (…) would want in the future Infection Protection Act.”
Gote pointed out that a recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission on booster vaccinations is expected in September and that new vaccines, which also offer protection against new virus variants, are expected to be available in the second half of September. In this context, the Senate is planning a new information campaign for booster vaccinations. The conditions are different than in the previous year, because only around seven percent of the Berlin population are neither vaccinated nor recovered.
According to the health administration, 78.8 percent of Berliners have so far been fully vaccinated against Corona, i.e. usually twice. 62.5 percent received a booster vaccination. The aim of the vaccination campaign in the fall is to reach those who have not yet been reached, says Gote. According to current plans, the last remaining vaccination center in the ring center and twelve mobile vaccination teams in the districts are to remain in place for the time being. It can be expanded as needed.
In addition, Gote pointed out that from Friday there would no longer be any free, no-cause rapid corona tests for everyone nationwide. The federal government had decided that only rapid tests for certain risk groups would remain free. As a rule, three euros per corona test will be due out of pocket in the future – which the Senate sees critically, according to Gote. The states wanted to work with the federal government to abolish the own share.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220627-99-822188/3
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