Pandemic will end in Germany by spring 2022, says Health Minister
Health Minister Jens Spahn says he believes the Covid pandemic will come to an end in Germany by spring next year.
"If no new virus variant emerges that vaccination does not protect against, which is very unlikely, then we will have overcome the pandemic in the spring and can return to normality," the CDU politician told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper.
Spahn said that herd immunity "is always achieved" in the long run. However, the question is whether it happens through vaccination or the spread of the virus.
"Vaccination is definitely the safer way to get there," Spahn said.
The Health Minister urged people eligible for vaccination to go and get their jabs.
"Anyone who does not get vaccinated is very likely to fall ill," the minister said, warning against underestimating the risks of infection in light of the current drop in infection figures.
On Wednesday 10.454 Covid infections were logged within 24 hours, and 71 deaths. The 7-day incidence dropped to 65 cases per 100,000 people. A week ago, the 7-day incidence stood at 77.9.
But experts have been warning that there was also a lull at this time last year before the autumn/winter surge hit.
READ ALSO:
- Covid fourth wave in Germany - is it the calm before the storm?
- Where Covid rates are dropping in Germany – and why
"We also had a 'breather' at this time of year last year," said Spahn. "So we're not through yet. In the autumn and winter, when we're all indoors a lot more again and the immune system is less strong, the risk of getting infected also goes up."
Spahn attributed the current decline in infection numbers primarily to the end of the vacation season and stricter testing rules.
The Health Minister also defended plans to end financial compensation for unvaccinated people who have to miss work if ordered into a quarantine.
READ ALSO: What employees in Germany should know about quarantine compensation
He said this was "not about pressure, but about fairness towards the vaccinated".
"Why should others pay for the fact that someone decides for himself not to be vaccinated?" the CDU politician said on broadcaster ZDF's Morgenmagazin on Wednesday.
The health ministers of the federal and state governments plan to discuss a unified approach on Wednesday.
They will talk about an end to compensation for lost earnings due to an ordered quarantine for the unvaccinated from October 11th at the latest. In some states, unvaccinated people are already no longer entitled to compensation for lost earnings.
Spahn also spoke out in favour of a nationwide regulation for the so-called 2G option - i.e. the possibility of businesses only allowing vaccinated and recovered people to attend events or dine indoors in Germany. He said he would campaign for this in the consultations with the state health ministers.
Currently Germany has a 3G approach where people who've been vaccinated (geimpft), recovered (genesen) or tested (getestet) can enter indoor public spaces. Some states - such as Berlin, Hamburg and Hesse, have moved to allowing businesses to choose the 2G model.
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"If no new virus variant emerges that vaccination does not protect against, which is very unlikely, then we will have overcome the pandemic in the spring and can return to normality," the CDU politician told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper.
Spahn said that herd immunity "is always achieved" in the long run. However, the question is whether it happens through vaccination or the spread of the virus.
"Vaccination is definitely the safer way to get there," Spahn said.
The Health Minister urged people eligible for vaccination to go and get their jabs.
"Anyone who does not get vaccinated is very likely to fall ill," the minister said, warning against underestimating the risks of infection in light of the current drop in infection figures.
On Wednesday 10.454 Covid infections were logged within 24 hours, and 71 deaths. The 7-day incidence dropped to 65 cases per 100,000 people. A week ago, the 7-day incidence stood at 77.9.
But experts have been warning that there was also a lull at this time last year before the autumn/winter surge hit.
READ ALSO:
- Covid fourth wave in Germany - is it the calm before the storm?
- Where Covid rates are dropping in Germany – and why
"We also had a 'breather' at this time of year last year," said Spahn. "So we're not through yet. In the autumn and winter, when we're all indoors a lot more again and the immune system is less strong, the risk of getting infected also goes up."
Spahn attributed the current decline in infection numbers primarily to the end of the vacation season and stricter testing rules.
The Health Minister also defended plans to end financial compensation for unvaccinated people who have to miss work if ordered into a quarantine.
READ ALSO: What employees in Germany should know about quarantine compensation
He said this was "not about pressure, but about fairness towards the vaccinated".
"Why should others pay for the fact that someone decides for himself not to be vaccinated?" the CDU politician said on broadcaster ZDF's Morgenmagazin on Wednesday.
The health ministers of the federal and state governments plan to discuss a unified approach on Wednesday.
They will talk about an end to compensation for lost earnings due to an ordered quarantine for the unvaccinated from October 11th at the latest. In some states, unvaccinated people are already no longer entitled to compensation for lost earnings.
Spahn also spoke out in favour of a nationwide regulation for the so-called 2G option - i.e. the possibility of businesses only allowing vaccinated and recovered people to attend events or dine indoors in Germany. He said he would campaign for this in the consultations with the state health ministers.
Currently Germany has a 3G approach where people who've been vaccinated (geimpft), recovered (genesen) or tested (getestet) can enter indoor public spaces. Some states - such as Berlin, Hamburg and Hesse, have moved to allowing businesses to choose the 2G model.
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