BERLIN (AP) — Four German regions are making plans to scrap regulations requiring others infected with the coronavirus to isolate at home, arguing that the pandemic has evolved and it’s time to take another approach.
The fitness ministry of the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg said Friday that the region and two of its neighbors, Bavaria and Hesse, as well as Germany’s northernmost state, Schleswig-Holstein, were running on the main points of the new rules.
The ministry highlighted the decrease in infections, effective vaccinations, a high degree of immunity of the population, milder diseases and the example of countries like Austria that have relaxed rules.
Bavaria said his general isolation mandate would end on Nov. 16. The state’s health minister, Klaus Holetchek, said at one point that the time has come to give others more individual responsibility.
“The resolution does not mean that we are going to unleash contagions,” he said. “People who test positive will have to wear a mask outdoors in their own apartment in the future. Health others stay at home. “
In Germany, decisions on coronavirus regulations are largely the responsibility of the governments of the country’s 16 states. Measures have been coordinated at the national level since the pandemic began in 2020, albeit to varying degrees, and states enjoy a great deal of autonomy.
The National Center for Disease Control recently recommended that states order five days of isolation for those infected.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the states’ resolution is “a significant mistake” that would lead to a patchwork of regulations in Germany, but the federal government may simply not save it.
“There is also no medical explanation for why waive a solitary confinement order now,” he said. “Lately we have about 1,000 COVID deaths consistent with the week; We are facing a strong winter wave. “
In April, Lauterbach abandoned a short-lived proposal to end mandatory solitary confinement. He said at the time that the idea, which was finified to ease the burden on local fitness units, was a mistake and sent the signal.
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