Should people who have been vaccinated against corona get their freedoms back – sooner than the rest of the population? Like traveling abroad or eating out in a restaurant? This discussion is currently in full swing at European level, there are still many questions and objections.
But in the Bavarian region of Altötting they have decided not to wait for the outcome. There, everyone who wants to receive a vaccination card with their second injection.
Cruising together on the Rhine
The vaccination certificate is an initiative of regional mayor Erwin Schneider. “I hope that with this pass we can return to normal life faster,” he says.
At the moment there are no concrete applications yet, but according to Schneider that will not take long. If a large proportion of people over 80 have been vaccinated, they may be able to have one closed group forms, he outlines his vision of the future. “And then go on a nice cruise on the Rhine together, for example. They can already enjoy all the freedoms.”
Fear of dichotomy
But the German government does not really see any such vaccination pass. There is a fear that there will be a dichotomy in society if vaccinees are given certain privileges. The subject is a sensitive one, especially as long as vaccines are scarce and many people who want an injection cannot receive it yet.
In addition, there is still no answer to the question whether vaccinated people can still be contagious. If so, then a ‘vaccination license’ is not a good idea anyway and vaccinees should also observe the mouth masking obligation, distance and quarantine.
Vaccine pass as admission ticket
In other words, music of the future, but a future that is already being thought about. And not just in Bavaria. For example, Israel is already working on a ‘green pass’ for vaccinees, which can be used for travel and as an admission ticket for cultural events, among other things. Cyprus and the Seychelles want to let tourists with such a pass into the country without a quarantine obligation.
Various airlines are also already considering traveling with an injection certificate. The mayor of Altötting: “You cannot stop this development. The government must be careful not to be overtaken by reality.”
Extra freedoms or restored civil rights?
In addition, according to Mayor Schneider, the discussion is “the wrong way round”: “It’s not about giving vaccinees privileges, but giving them back their restricted civil rights.”
That is a position that more and more politicians are supporting. Also prominent politicians from Chancellor Merkel’s CDU, including Norbert Röttgen. He says that “the restriction of freedom can only be justified as long as there is a danger to health”. Once the danger has disappeared, he says, the restrictions must also be lifted for constitutional and principle reasons.
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