Courtesy Translation: Corona warning level 1: State government reacts with package of measures

Courtesy Photo | Icon to accompany courtesy translations from the state of Hessen  

WIESBADEN, HESSEN, GERMANY

11.09.2021

Story by Nadine Bower 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

Press Release from the Hessen State Government from 08 NOV 2021
Courtesy Translation: Nadine Bower, Public Affairs Specialist

Corona warning level 1: State government reacts with package of measures

Minister President Volker Bouffier and Health Minister Kai Klose: "The obligation to test will be noticeably expanded. Vaccination is and remains the best protection."

The Corona Cabinet of the Hessen state government has decided on further measures in the fight against the corona pandemic. The background to the new decisions are the sharp rise in the number of corona infections, but in particular the heavy burden on intensive care units. "With our package of measures, we want to protect the vulnerable groups in particular," said Minister President Volker Bouffier and Health Minister Kai Klose today in Wiesbaden.

Within the past 7 days, more than 9,000 people in Hessen have been newly infected with Corona. The situation in hospitals is also serious. Currently, 649 COVID-19 patients are being treated as inpatients in Hessen hospitals. 205 of them are so seriously ill that they need intensive medical care. The vast majority, 70 percent of them, are unvaccinated.

"The numbers make three things clear. First, vaccination is the best protection against severe corona disease. Secondly, in addition to the nurses, it is above all thanks to the vaccinated people that the situation in our hospitals has so far been manageable despite the steep rise in the number of infections. And thirdly, the vaccination rate is still not high enough. We also need more speed with the booster vaccinations."

Hessen is responding to this in accordance with warning level 1 of the Hessen Corona Protection Ordinance with targeted measures to contain the pandemic. "The numbers of the most seriously ill show that we are primarily dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated. The new measures are necessary so that we can continue to maintain our health care and that we can further limit the risk of infection through increased testing. It is and remains our goal that as many people as possible get vaccinated," said Bouffier and Klose. The new measures will enter into force on 11 November.

The most important measures at a glance:

Tightening of the need for testing for 3G to PCR test

Those who are not vaccinated or recovered will need to provide an up-to-date PCR test to attend 3G events or when entering many 3G facilities in the future. A rapid antigen test is no longer sufficient. Specifically, this applies to the interior areas at events, trade fairs and in the cultural sector, in leisure facilities, sports facilities, cultural venues, restaurants, casinos and gambling halls as well as prostitution venues.

As for employees an employer test twice a week is sufficient. Only for children and adolescents as well as persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (medical certificate required), an antigen test certificate is still sufficient.

3G rule in the workplace for employees with customer contact

The state government had already tightened the test obligation in old people's homes and nursing homes as well as in hospitals last week. Now, the test specifications are also being extended in other areas. In the future, the 3G rule will also apply in the workplace whenever employees have contact with external customers. This applies, for example, to the staff in supermarkets, in public transport or at the hairdresser. Hessen is thus relying on a federal regulation that prescribes corresponding testing options twice a week at the workplace. In Hessen, these tests must also be used by employees in view of the current infection situation.

Introduction of a maximum quota for those tested at major 3G events

At events with more than 5,000 participants, a maximum of 10 percent may be tested in the future. The remaining participants must be either vaccinated or recovered.

More tests in schools

All unvaccinated students must provide negative test evidence for participation in face-to-face lessons until Jan. 31, 2022 three times instead of twice a week – as has been the case so far in the prevention weeks after the school breaks. The tests can still be provided free of charge at school and are noted in the students’ test booklet.

The state government is also launching an information campaign for booster vaccinations. "We now know that vaccination protection slowly wears off after half a year. That is why we are advertising even more specifically for booster vaccinations and are now, for example, personally writing to all Hessen citizens over the age of 70, for whom the Stiko expressly recommends the booster shot," said Bouffier and Klose.

"We will not only promote the booster shot, but we will also actively approach particularly vulnerable people. Accordingly, we have agreed with the municipal associations that the mobile vaccination teams will target the old peoples' and nursing homes and administer the booster shot to the residents there. In a number of districts and independent cities, this has already started," said Bouffier and Klose.

Minister President Bouffier has again called for a Ministers Presidents’ Conference, which should take place in a timely manner. "The current situation calls for an agreement between the heads of the state governments and the federal government. In my view, this is absolutely necessary. Certain measures must be coordinated nationwide. These include, for example, the discussion about the possible reintroduction of free corona tests or compensation payments for hospitals that care for Covid patients."

Klose also drew attention to the flu shot: "The influenza vaccination is an important protective measure for particularly vulnerable people. Studies show that vaccination against the flu can also protect against dangerous side effects of the COVID disease such as thrombosis, stroke or blood poisoning."

Source: https://www.hessen.de/Presse/Corona-Warnstufe-1-Landesregierung-reagiert-mit-Massnahmenpaket

• Date Taken: 11.09.2021
• Date Posted: 11.09.2021 07:56
• Story ID: 408962
• Location: WIESBADEN, HESSEN, DE