The highest incidence of all federal states (620), the lowest vaccination rate (57.4 percent): Saxony hits the fourth wave particularly hard. That is why 2-G has been in effect across the country since last week. Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is in crisis mode.
BILD am SONNTAG: Mr. Kretschmer, how dramatic is the situation?
MICHAEL KRETSCHMER: In the hospitals, wards are being converted into pure corona wards, and many interventions have to be postponed. And we are only at the beginning of a harsh winter: the wave that we have in front of us will overshadow all previous waves.
This fourth wave will demand more victims, including more deaths, than anything we have known before. We know from last year that we have to hold out until Easter. This wave will not be over before then.
This wave will not end before Easter
Do Saxony and Germany have to prepare for a lockdown before Christmas?
KRETSCHMER: We still have the chance to prevent a lockdown over the Christmas period. But we’re running out of time.
What actions are required?
KRETSCHMER: A 2-G rule is mandatory throughout Germany in order to avoid infection from unvaccinated people. In order to break the wave, we also have to reduce contacts again and cancel as many larger events as possible, such as Christmas markets across the country. Given the current dynamics, there will be no region in Germany that does not get into an emergency situation by Easter.
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Are the traffic lights doing enough against Corona?
KRETSCHMER: The traffic light’s corona policy is extremely dangerous. The decision-making speed of the new coalition in Berlin is too slow. While the traffic light politicians in Berlin are talking about the fact that there is no pandemic situation, the number of infections is exploding across the country. This policy must be borne out by the employees in the hospitals.
What consequences do you fear?
KRETSCHMER: If the hospitals are overloaded, if nothing works, no matter how stubborn the traffic light government is, it will not be able to avoid taking drastic measures, including a lockdown, to protect the population.
Photo: Niels Starnick / BILD
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/michael-kretschmer-in-seinem-buero-in-der-saechsischen-staatskanzlei-in-dresden-in-sachsen-gilt-seit- v-7b83a86efc04431e98bd41f2d2161386-78236130 / image / 2.image.jpg”/> Michael Kretschmer in his office in the Saxon State Chancellery in Dresden. In Saxony, 2-G has been in effect across the board since last weekPhoto: Niels Starnick / BILD
What should the Prime Minister’s Conference decide on Thursday?
KRETSCHMER: First of all, the conference is late. The federal and state governments worked together to fight this pandemic for 18 months. Now the traffic light wants to pass its law first and then speak to the prime minister.
That’s bad style. A lot will go wrong in the fight against the pandemic in the coming weeks and months. The SPD, Greens and FDP may be able to defeat their political opponents with their majority in the Bundestag, but not the corona virus.
The Union is still ruling, at least in a managerial way. Why don’t you do anything?
KRETSCHMER: For everything we need the approval of the Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz. The culpable hesitation and irresponsible talk of the traffic lights has consequences now.
The agreement on free citizen tests alone took a week too long. Many more people got infected this week than necessary.
How do you explain to a vaccinated stroke, cancer or heart attack patient that their operation has to be postponed because the hospitals are keeping their beds free for unvaccinated corona patients?
KRETSCHMER: You can’t explain it. But that is the reason for the comprehensive 2-G regulation. Those who do not want to be vaccinated will have to live with very severe restrictions for the next few months. We have incidences of over 1500 among the unvaccinated and 70 among the vaccinated. This must have consequences.
The German government’s scientific advisory board calls for mandatory vaccination, at least for nursing professions. Do you agree?
KRETSCHMER: This is not my way. The booster vaccination is now much more important for everyone. I find it very regrettable that Stiko has not made this recommendation to this day.
How does the comprehensive 2-G regulation work in Saxony?
KRETSCHMER: With a vaccination rate as low as in Saxony, we have to achieve a 60 percent reduction in contact, say scientists. 2-G is an essential component in this. But more must be added.
Contact restrictions, employers’ right to information about their vaccination status and also the legal possibility to request tests from employees. Also from vaccinated people.
How should restaurant operators who do not control be punished?
KRETSCHMER: A restaurateur who does not want to or cannot comply with the law does not meet the requirements for a license. He has to lock his shop.
Another important issue: Belarus wants to smuggle thousands of migrants into Germany. Should we take in the refugees stuck on the border with Poland?
KRETSCHMER: No. We are not allowed to accept these migrants in the EU or in Germany. If you wanted that, they wouldn’t have to take the detour via Minsk, but could fly straight to Germany.
But we have clear rules when it comes to immigration. Recognized refugees or skilled workers can come. Neither is the case with the migrants who were lured by Lukashenko. We have to show the dictator in Minsk that this measure will not be successful. Then he will stop smuggling.
How long can our society withstand the pictures of needy and freezing families?
KRETSCHMER: We have to endure these images and help Poland secure its external EU border. Warsaw is doing the right thing, so we cannot stab the Poles in the back.
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