Germany opens up tentatively

Berlin – People who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are exempt from many restrictions in Germany as of yesterday, after the government passed new legislation to restore some freedoms.

Curfews and limits on social contacts no longer apply to those fully vaccinated – more than seven million people – or those who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection under the new rules.

They will also no longer have to present a negative test result to access certain services such as hairdressers and “click and meet” shopping appointments.

If returning to Germany from abroad, they will not be required to quarantine unless arriving from a country deemed high risk due to virus variants.

However, they will still be required to adhere to social distancing and hygiene measures, such as wearing masks in shops and on public transport.

Announcing the measures this week, Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said there needed to be a “good reason” for any restrictions on public life.

“As soon as this reason ceases to exist ... these restrictions should then no longer be in place,” she said.

In a poll for the RTL broadcaster, 64% of Germans said they were in favour of Germany going further and reopening hotels, restaurants, theatres and cinemas for vaccinated people.

Berlin’s mayor Michael Mueller admitted it was going to be “damn difficult to check” whether people were exempt from the rules.

Mueller advised people to carry proof of vaccination with them until the arrival of the EU’s planned digital vaccination passports.

Under national measures introduced in April, areas of Germany with an incidence rate of more than 100 new infections per 100 000 people over the last seven days must introduce strict shutdown measures, including contact restrictions and overnight curfews.

But areas with incidence rates under 100 are allowed to open shops, restaurants, cinemas and other facilities to anyone who can provide a negative test.

With infection numbers sinking, many states are eyeing reopening various facilities in the coming weeks.

Health Minister Jens Spahn last Friday said Germany appeared to have broken the third wave but warned that reopening too quickly “would only help the virus”. –

It is really a matter of not gambling away what has been achieved.

Jens Spahn Health minister of Germany