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PROTEST

Thousands protest against Germany’s plan for nationwide Covid-19 measures

Police fired tear gas as they tried to break up thousands of protesters staging a demonstration in Berlin on Wednesday against a planned national virus law, according to an AFP video journalist at the scene.

Published: 21 April 2021 13:04 CEST
Updated: 21 April 2021 15:17 CEST
Thousands protest against Germany's plan for nationwide Covid-19 measures
Demonstrators carry a poster that says 'the pack has risen'. Photo: DPA

Police said seven people were arrested after they sought to attack officers, AFP reported. 

Around 8,000 demonstrators – some not wearing masks – gathered near Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate, while the Bundestag debated the infection Protection Act,

The new law, which is being voted on by the Bundestag on Wednesday, gives the national government power to impose lockdown measures on areas with high coronavirus infection rates to slow the third wave of the pandemic.

The rules include curfews between 10pm and 5am, limits on private gatherings and on shop openings. Under the draft plans, schools will close and return to online teaching if the virus incidence rises above 165 cases per 100,000 residents in seven days.

Around 2,200 officers were at the scene, while the Reichstag building and Brandenburg Gate were cordoned off.

A police spokesperson said that water cannons were ready and could be used “if necessary”.

Police used a water canon on anti-Covid measure protesters in November 2020 to disperse crowds – the majority of whom were not wearing protective masks. The demos were held while the Bundestag reformed Germany’s coronavirus laws.

IN PICTURES: Here’s what happened at the anti-coronavirus measures rally in Berlin

On Wednesday, police officers with dogs stood near the demonstrators, while officers on horseback could also be seen. Task forces from Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, Saxony and the federal police are supporting Berlin police.

Protesters chanted: “Peace, freedom, no dictatorship” while some made noise with whistles and drums. One poster read: “End scaremongering now”.

Police repeatedly called through a loudspeaker for protesters to comply with the coronavirus hygiene rules like wearing a mask and keeping distance.

Some people were detained for not following the rules, police said.

Police wrestling with a demonstrator on Wednesday. Photo: DPA

Why are people demonstrating?

A mix of people have been protesting against tougher coronavirus measures in Germany over the past year. They include far-right groups, conspiracy theorists, so-called anti-vaxxers (those who are against vaccinations) and people who do not want restrictions on their freedom.

There are also some militant activists who have compared government measures to the Enabling Act of 1933 which gave Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s government dictatorial powers.

Protests against the new law have been held in previous weeks across the country.

Several demos against the new law changes were registered around the Berlin government quarter on Wednesday.

According to police, from 10am onwards, a demo was registered at Brandenburg Gate for 1,000 participants and one on the nearby Straße des 17. Juni.

In addition, a demonstration with 1,000 participants was announced for the afternoon, which is planned to start near Bellevue Palace. Several smaller rallies are also planned.

Four gatherings have been banned by the authorities. One demonstration, originally planned to take place near the Reichstag embankment with 2,000 participants, was banned, the police spokeswoman added. She did not give a reason for the ban.

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HEALTH

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

Published: 20 September 2023 12:05 CEST
Updated: 20 September 2023 22:22 CEST
Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI,  the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent. 

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI. 

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI. 

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests. 

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well. 

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

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