Covid: German parliament to consider vaccine mandate as restrictions tightened

Covid: German parliament to consider vaccine mandate as restrictions tightened
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Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 03/12/2021

- 07:05

Updated: 03/12/2021

- 07:08

Angela Merkel made the announcement as more than 70,000 newly confirmed infections were reported in the country in a 24-hour period.

German chancellor Angela Merkel has said that people who are not vaccinated will be excluded from non-essential shops, cultural and recreational venues, and that parliament will consider a general vaccine mandate, as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

She made the announcement as more than 70,000 newly confirmed infections were reported in the country in a 24-hour period.


The outgoing German Chancellor says the measures are being introduced as a form of "national solidarity".

Angela Merkel said that vaccinations could be made mandatory in February.

"Given the situation, I think it is appropriate to adopt compulsory vaccination," she said, while making clear that this would have to be approved by parliament.

Mrs Merkel revealed concerns over hospitals in Germany reaching their capacity, saying "the fourth wave must be broken and this has not yet been achieved".

Furthermore, the German Chancellor was honoured with a traditional military musical performance and march in front of almost all the country’s political elite, save for the far-right Alternative for Germany, who were not invited.

“Our democracy also lives from the fact that wherever hatred and violence are seen as a legitimate means of pursuing one’s interests, our tolerance as democrats has to find its limit,” she said in a speech ahead of the ceremony."

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