Status: 02/14/2022 04:03 a.m
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The Corona Expert Council set up by the federal government expects the omicron wave to drop in the coming weeks. The committee therefore recommends that politicians plan “forward-looking opening strategies”.
The Federal Government’s Expert Council believes that, under certain conditions, it is possible to relax corona measures in the coming weeks. “The number of SARS-CoV-2 infections has so far risen continuously, but a plateau and a subsequent drop for the omicron (BA.1) wave is to be expected in the coming weeks,” said the Council’s sixth statement. “At this point in time, it is important to plan opening strategies with foresight and to communicate these steps in an understandable way.”
The Council emphasized that opening too early carries the risk of a renewed increase in the burden of disease. “Reducing state infection control measures seems sensible as soon as there is a stable drop in hospitalization and intensive care admissions and occupancy.”
Mask duty should remain in principle
The state prime ministers want to discuss how to proceed in the pandemic with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday. It is considered certain that an opening plan will be drawn up – because omicron diseases in many people are less severe than those with previously prevalent variants.
It is questionable how quickly and in what steps the easing will come. From the point of view of the Council, the population should, among other things, continue to be asked to act prudently and responsibly. The committee also called for: “The possibility of using the mask requirement, especially in public spaces, should be retained in principle; if the number of infections is sufficiently low, it can be temporarily lifted, but accompanied by clear communication about the time limit.”
“New phase of the pandemic”
It should also be borne in mind that “in the context of any opening steps, unvaccinated and older people at risk of a severe course of the disease are increasingly involved in the infection process. These groups continue to bear the highest risk of a severe course of the disease and must be protected.”
The Council also warned of numerous “uncertainties due to an immunity gap in the population that is still far too large”. He sees Germany in a “new phase of the pandemic”, which continues to require “a high level of attention”.
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