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Germany's pandemic state of emergency could end on Nov. 25: Minister

October 18, 2021
File photo of German Health Minister Jens Spahn.
File photo of German Health Minister Jens Spahn.



BERLIN — German Health Minister Jens Spahn said special regulations relating to the coronavirus pandemic could end on Nov. 25, though many indoor test, vaccine and other hygiene measures would need to remain in place, Bild reported.

"This means the state of emergency that has been in place for almost 19 months since March 28, 2020 will end," he said on Monday, according to the newspaper.

"We are moving from a state of emergency to a state of special caution."

Germany's health minister cited the country's public health authority, the Robert Koch Institute, and its assessment that vaccinated people posed a "moderate" risk, in addition to the current vaccination rates, as reasons for the state of emergency to expire on Nov. 25, Blid reported.

"So we are moving from a state of emergency to a state of special caution," Spahn said, adding that today's rules and regulations would not be held through spring of next year.

Germany's state of emergency allows the government to act in a crisis, by expanding executive powers and restricting the powers of the parliament. — Agencies

Earlier this year, the federal government took steps to unilaterally impose restrictions on regions with high rates of infection, without having to seek approval from the states. These restrictions include curfews and limited the number of people in public spaces.

The COVID-19 state of emergency was approved by parliament on March 2020. — Agencies


October 18, 2021
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