To reduce the number of new corona infections, numerous corona rules and restrictions apply. What is new? What measures are still in place? What do the rules 3G to 2G-Plus mean??
Corona rules: What’s new?
The Omikron variant of the coronavirus is causing a high number of new infections. To slow the spread, the federal and state governments on 24. January 2022 agreed that the Corona rules should continue to apply. They are implemented through the state regulations of the federal states.
Contacts should continue to be reduced and protective measures in place should remain consistent. Infections with Omikron should be taken first and require responsible action. The federal and state governments also reaffirm the call for first, second and booster immunizations.
The most important innovation in the current federal-state decision is the Prioritization of PCR tests:
The high number of new infections is causing bottlenecks in available PCR tests. In the future, when PCR tests are used, emphasis should be placed on:
- Particularly at risk (vulnerable) groups and groups at risk for a severe course, for example, the elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, and people with weakened immune systems (immunosuppressed),
- Employees who care for and treat them, especially in hospitals, in medical practices, in nursing care and in facilities for integration assistance.
The Federal Ministry of Health will work with the states to develop modified testing rules and adapt the testing strategy and testing regulation accordingly.
Which Corona rules still apply?
A number of measures previously adopted by the federal and state governments continue to apply.
Regulations for quarantine and isolation
The following vaccinated and recovered persons are exempt from quarantine for close contacts:
- Persons with a booster vaccination, a total of three vaccinations required
- Persons with a "fresh" two-time vaccination (as of 15. Day after the second vaccination until 90. day after vaccination),
- convalescents with booster vaccination and
- "Freshly" recovered persons (between the age of 28. day and the 90. day from the date of collection of the positive Corona test).
In the event of contact with a person infected or suspected of being infected with a virus variant of concern (excluding alpha, delta or omicron), even vaccinated and convalescent persons must be quarantined.
For all others, quarantine ends after ten days without testing, but can be ended early after seven days with evidence of a negative rapid antigen test or PCR test.
For schoolchildren and children in childcare services, quarantine can be terminated after only five days by a rapid antigen test or PCR test. Exceptions to quarantine are possible if a high level of protection exists (such as daily testing, mask requirement, and the like).
A Isolation for infected persons is lifted after ten days (without testing) and can be shortened to seven days by a final negative PCR or rapid test (with detection).
Employees of hospitals, nursing homes and institutions for integration assistance who want to end isolation after seven days must be symptom-free for 48 hours and present a PCR test. In the future, new regulations will come into force, according to which a negative certified rapid antigen test will be sufficient for these groups of persons as well instead of a PCR test. Until then, the mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test continues to apply.
mandatory masking
- Masks are mandatory wherever people congregate in a confined space.
- Because of the high contagiousness of the Omikron virus variant, the federal-state decision urgently recommends wearing FFP2 masks indoors and when meeting other people. This applies, for example, when shopping in stores and when using buses and trains.
- In schools, masks are compulsory for all grades.
2G-plus rule in the food service industry
- In the short term, the 2G-plus rule will be introduced nationwide in the catering industry.
- Only vaccinated and convalescents with a daily updated test as well as people with booster vaccination (from the day of booster vaccination) are allowed access.
Restrictions on contact at private gatherings
- Private gatherings of vaccinated and recovered people are only allowed with a maximum of 10 people. Children up to the age of 14. The date of the test does not include the date of the patient’s first birthday. Once an unvaccinated person attends a meeting, the contact restrictions apply as they apply to unvaccinated persons.
- If private meetings are attended by persons who are neither vaccinated nor recovered, only persons from the person’s own household and no more than two other persons from another household may gather together. Children until the age of 14. Persons under the age of 18 do not count.
3G rule
In the workplace and on buses and trains, the 3G rule still applies.
2G and 2G-plus access regulation
Nationwide, regardless of incidence, 2G access rules apply to retail stores (except convenience stores) and recreational and cultural facilities and events, such as movie theaters and theaters. In addition, 2G-Plus may be prescribed. In the catering industry (e.g. restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs), the 2G-plus rule generally applies (see also the explanations "What do the 3G, 3G-plus, 2G and 2G-plus rules mean??").
Exceptions to these rules apply to persons for whom vaccination has not been recommended or persons who cannot be vaccinated, such as pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, exemptions are possible for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
Regulations for sports, cultural and comparable major events
The following regulations apply for major events:
- Supraregional sports, cultural and similar major events are currently taking place without spectators.
- Clubs and discotheques are currently closed.
More protective vaccinations
The extension of the group of persons allowed to carry out vaccinations to pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians remains in place, provided they are appropriately trained.
Employees of clinics and nursing homes and similar facilities must be vaccinated by the 15. March 2022 present proof that they have been vaccinated or recovered. A general vaccination requirement also remains under discussion.
Protection from COVID-19
The most effective protection against COVID-19 and especially against severe courses is the Corona vaccination – including booster vaccination. In addition, everyone – including the vaccinated, recovered and tested – should follow the AHA+L+A formula: Keep your distance, observe hygiene, wear a mask in everyday life, ventilate indoor spaces regularly and use the Corona warning app. Information on the rules and recommendations for behavior in various situations can also be found on our topic pages under "How do I behave?. ".
What do the 3G, 3G-Plus, 2G and 2G-Plus rules mean??
In many public areas, the 3G, 3G-plus, 2G or 2G-plus rule applies.
- 3G rule: 3G stands for complete vaccinated, recovered or negative Tested. Under the 3G rule, only people who can prove they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered or tested negative may visit certain places or events. When the 3G rule applies, rapid antigen testing or PCR testing is possible as tests. On buses and trains, the test must not have been taken more than 24 hours ago. In the workplace, the rapid test may be up to 24 hours old, the PCR test up to 48 hours old.
- 3G-Plus Rule3G-Plus means that only fully vaccinated or recovered persons or persons with a negative PCR test are allowed to enter. A negative rapid antigen test is not sufficient.
- 2G rule: The 2G stand for fully vaccinated or recovered. If the 2G rule applies, only people who are fully vaccinated or recovered may visit the location or event. A negative Corona test is not sufficient.
- 2G-Plus ruleAt events where the 2G-Plus rule applies, only fully vaccinated or recovered persons can participate who can also present the negative result of a rapid antigen test or a PCR test. For persons with booster vaccination, the additional test requirement for 2G-Plus does not apply. Exceptions apply to access to nursing homes and hospitals. In order to protect the residents, persons with booster vaccinations should also submit a negative test result. Detailed implementation of the 2G-Plus rule is carried out by the individual federal states.
All citizens can have a free antigen rapid test (citizen test) at least once a week. The tests can be done for example in test centers, in doctors’ offices or even pharmacies.
The regulations can change quickly due to the current situation and can be implemented differently in the federal states or at events. Therefore, be sure to inform yourself about the applicable regulations in the respective state as well as in specific locations.
License condition (CC BY-SA-4.0)
You can continue to use the graphic under the following conditions (instructions for use). It is copyrighted and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License