Germany tightens coronavirus rules for the unvaccinated

Germany is applying pressure on citizens to get Covid-19 shots, announcing plans to restrict many leisure activities for the unvaccinated in almost the entire country.

Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a catalogue of measures on Thursday that will allow access to restaurants, bars and public events in areas with high hospitalisation rates only for people who are vaccinated or have recovered. While avoiding a renewed lockdown, it’s the latest attempt by leaders across the European Union to stem a surge of infections.

Greece expanded restrictions for unvaccinated residents on Thursday, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia imposed expanded bans. The Netherlands resumed a partial lockdown last week and Austria is using police checks to deter people from breaching its vaccine requirements.

“We are in the midst of the fourth wave and have to deal with a dramatic situation and draw the needed conclusions,” Merkel told reporters after a meeting of national and state government leaders. 

Extraordinary measures “are necessary and justified,” the leaders said in a statement. They will apply to a broad range of activities and venues from sports and cultural events to restaurants, bars and gyms.

Germany, which is Europe’s biggest economy, reported more than 65,000 infections in a day for the first time on Thursday and hospitals faced with stretched intensive-care units are sounding the alarm. The changes, which include a requirement for employers to let employees to work from home, replace emergency powers that will expire on November 25.