Weekly proceedings in Germany's Parliament, the Bundestag

The German Bundestag is set to finalise deliberations this week on a draft bill aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill, known as the Draft Bill to Amend the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz), includes measures designed to adapt epidemic control frameworks to the current situation.

The bill focuses on pandemic control measures, mandatory rules for workplaces and public transportation, and extended regulations. These measures are based on indicators such as hospitalization incidence, ICU occupancy, and vaccination rates. They aim to trigger protective actions like contact restrictions or access rules in public spaces.

In workplaces and public transportation, mask mandates, distancing rules, and possible testing or vaccination requirements are likely to be enforced. These measures are designed to reduce the spread, especially in high-incidence situations. The bill also provides for extended legal bases for surveillance, quarantine, and contact tracing, as well as the authorization to implement localized or sector-specific measures if needed to control outbreaks.

The bill also includes a limited state opening clause, allowing federal states to implement further measures such as canceling events or temporarily closing leisure facilities. Employers will be required to offer home office work where operationally feasible.

To support the healthcare system, hospitals will receive an additional time-limited remuneration for the full or partial stationary treatment of COVID-19 patients. The regulation for the increased subsidy for statutory health insurers (SHI) was agreed upon with the Federal Ministry of Finance by the Federal Ministry of Health and will be approved by the German Bundestag this week. The subsidy for SHI will be increased by an additional seven billion euros in 2022, bringing the total to 28.5 billion euros.

The bill also addresses the issue of falsifying vaccination certificates, which will be punishable. The use of forged vaccination certificates and test certificates will be severely punished, with penalties including imprisonment of up to one year or a fine. Preparing and trading in blank vaccination certificates will also be subject to penalties.

Doctors who issue false health certificates will also be subject to criminal charges. To ensure the stability of social security contributions, they will be stabilized below 40 percent. The federal states will be provided with options to contain the pandemic while respecting fundamental rights.

As of now, more than two-thirds of citizens are fully vaccinated, but the 7-day incidence rate is above 300 nationwide. With the support of the federal government, there will be no increased costs for contributors or the economy due to the increased subsidy for SHI.

A mandatory 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered, or tested) will be implemented in the workplace and in public local and long-distance transport. This rule is designed to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

In conclusion, the Draft Bill to Amend the Infection Protection Act in Germany is a comprehensive plan aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on flexibility to respond to hospitalization and infection data, maintaining protection in high-risk settings like workplaces and transport, and extending the legal framework for pandemic response. For the most recent and precise legal text and provisions, official German federal government publications or the Federal Ministry of Health would have the full draft bill details.

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