Germany Plans to Strengthen Contact Restrictions Amid Omicron Spread

▲Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health [Image source=AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Germany is pushing to strengthen restrictions on gatherings and contacts amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 variant virus Omicron.

On the 5th (local time), Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Minister of Health, said, "Research results show that in the case of Omicron, the period during which the virus spreads within the confirmed patient’s body and the subsequent infectious period are much shorter," adding, "Accordingly, the self-quarantine period can be shortened up to a certain level without increasing risk."

Currently, Germany recommends a two-week self-quarantine for confirmed Omicron cases and close contacts regardless of vaccination or recovery status.

The German government’s position is that if Omicron becomes the dominant strain, the simultaneous surge of confirmed cases and self-quarantined individuals could put hospitals, nursing homes, police, fire departments, and electricity or water supply systems at risk, making it necessary to shorten the quarantine period.

The German federal government and the health ministers of the 16 states held a video conference on the same day to discuss revisions to COVID-19 related quarantine rules, including shortening the self-quarantine period.

Minister Lauterbach also explained plans to strengthen contact restrictions along with shortening the quarantine period.

He said, "Strengthening contact restrictions is unfortunately inevitable to respond to the heavy wave approaching us," and added, "Especially, those unvaccinated against COVID-19 should not expect contact restrictions to be eased in the mid-term."

Germany reported 58,912 new COVID-19 cases and 346 deaths the previous day. The number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over the past week rose to 258.6. This indicator has been rising for seven consecutive days since December 30 of last year.

As of the previous day, the number of confirmed Omicron cases in Germany reached 35,529, tripling in one week. In the capital Berlin, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Baden-W?rttemberg, Omicron has already become the dominant strain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.