DresdenIn Dresden, over 80-year-olds are now being financially supported so that they can get their corona vaccinations safely. The city council voted unanimously on Thursday for Mayor Dirk Hilbert’s (FDP) proposal and promised further support.
According to the city’s calculations, around 30,000 residents of Dresden who have reached the age of 80 could use these services. In addition, they are not allowed to be housed in a nursing home and receive no private support on the way to the vaccination appointment. The journey by bus and train to the vaccination center in the fair must also be unreasonable. The seniors pay a flat rate of ten euros each way and person, no matter how far the journey is. The city pays the rest of the travel expenses. For Dresden Pass holders in this age group, the city covers all of the costs. On Thursday, the city council released the 500,000 euros for it.
Hilbert was visibly pleased with the approval and announced that he would sign the contract that same evening. “This means that the vaccination taxis can start tomorrow.” In addition, the mayor agreed to meet the demands of the left. They want all those affected to be informed about the offer in a personal letter. In addition, Left City Councilor Margot Gaitzsch is committed to extending the offer to Dresden residents over 70, if it proves to be successful. “That depends of course on the vaccination strategy of the federal and state governments,” said Hilbert. If family doctors also vaccinate, the distances are shortened significantly. “If not, we will take an active part in making an offer to other age groups.”
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Vaccination taxi: this is how it works
Anyone who fulfills the above conditions and has given a declaration of consent in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation can use a vaccination taxi from Friday, March 5th. The order works under 0351 211211, the number of the taxi cooperative Dresden. Appointments can be made Monday to Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To book the vaccination appointment confirmation, which will be sent by post from the German Red Cross, must be available. You must bring your ID card and health insurance card to the vaccination appointment.
The spouse and an accompanying person may be taken along to each appointment. In any case, ten euros are to be paid per person and trip – no matter how long the route is. For two vaccination appointments, each with a return trip by taxi, there is a total of 40 euros deductible. The city pays the rest of the travel expenses. This also ensures that the vehicles are regularly disinfected and that the drivers wear medical masks.
Mayor Hilbert: Federal tests are “a drop in the ocean”
The mayor emphasizes that the vaccination taxis fit in well with the federal and state vaccination campaign. “Sufficient vaccine is slowly becoming available, so the timing is just right.” Hilbert says it would have been wrong to offer this service earlier. “We didn’t want to raise expectations that weren’t met.”
Dresden is now prepared for the upcoming slight easing announced by the federal and state governments. A new corona protection ordinance will come into force in Saxony next Monday. However, the details in written form are still pending. Dirk Hilbert says it needs to be relaxed. “We are all increasingly worn out. But for that there must be tests and contact follow-up, we have prepared that. “
According to Hilbert, 70,000 tests per day have to be carried out in Dresden in order to be able to check every person in Dresden every week. “The tests that are made available by the federal government are a drop in the ocean. It needs infrastructure, enough tests and funding. ”However, he is in good spirits to make it. “So far, we have made almost all important Corona decisions with a large majority in this city council.”
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