Weekly happenings at Germany's federal parliament
In the realm of health policies, the most recent significant amendment to the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG) related to COVID-19 was passed on 10 December 2021, introducing a vaccine mandate for health workers in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and other health facilities, effective from 15 March 2022[1]. However, broader mandates for the general public or older age groups, which were proposed earlier in 2022, were ultimately rejected during Bundestag votes in April 2022[1]. Since then, no new major amendments expanding or fundamentally changing COVID-19 regulations within the IfSG have been documented.
Moving on to energy policies, the German government is taking steps to ensure gas storage facilities maintain minimum filling levels. A bill is being introduced that will oblige gas storage operators to maintain 65% filling levels by August 1st, 80% by October 1st, 90% by December 1st, and 40% by February 1st[2]. If gaps still persist, the Market Area Coordinator can purchase gas and storage capacities and store them[3]. If storage users do not utilize the capacities they have booked, these capacities can be withdrawn and made available to the Market Area Coordinator[3].
The government is also making strides in reducing the EEG surcharge. As of July 1, 2022, the surcharge will be reduced from 3.723 cents/kWh to zero[4]. Companies and consumers who purchase electricity will benefit from this reduction[5].
In the area of social services, the Social Service Deployment Act (SodEG) will be extended to continue providing social services after the end of the necessary measures to contain the Corona pandemic[6]. Additionally, a one-time heating cost subsidy will be adopted for households receiving certain forms of financial aid[7].
Furthermore, occupational health protection ordinances will continue to be enabled, including occupational protection concepts and the assumption of costs for Corona tests by the employer[8]. Corona-related adjustments to remuneration agreements between the operators of approved preventive or rehabilitation facilities and health insurance funds will remain possible[9].
In terms of legal adjustments, the Bill to Amend the Infection Protection Act will apply until autumn 2022 and will regulate the nationwide mask requirement in public transport[10]. The Corona Entry Regulation will be adjusted for legal clarification[11]. A hotspot regulation will be introduced, allowing for more extensive protective measures to be taken locally[12].
Lastly, terms such as "vaccination", "recovery", and "test certificates" will be defined in the IfSG[13]. The current Infection Protection Act (IfSG) is set to expire on 19 March, but states will remain authorized to issue measures such as mask-wearing and testing requirements[14].
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- The German government's recent focus on energy policies includes a new bill that requires gas storage operators to maintain certain filling levels, with possible implications for politics and policy-and-legislation regarding resource management.
- In the realm of social services, the extension of the Social Service Deployment Act (SodEG) and the adoption of a one-time heating cost subsidy for certain households fall under the health-and-wellness umbrella, as these measures aim to support the general public.
- As the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) undergoes adjustments, specific terms such as 'vaccination', 'recovery', and 'test certificates' will be defined, potentially influencing medical-conditions and general-news discourse related to COVID-19.
