The Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals propose to make it compulsory to present an up-to-date vaccination certificate or to show a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, in order to gain access to work or public transport.

During its presentation the previous day before the Bundestag (Lower House), the legislation was opposed by the conservative bloc, now in power, and the far-right Alternative for Germany, while the Left abstained.

But the new legal framework passed ratification and will replace the so-called “nationwide epidemic situation”, in force until November 25, which allows the Länder to introduce restrictions without the approval of the regional parliaments.

The regulation is being imposed in the midst of national alarm at the successive peaks in the incidence and infection rates of the disease in the country.

In this scenario, the regional leaders demanded the day before from the central government a bill to introduce compulsory vaccination in “sensitive” professional sectors, such as healthcare workers and those who care for the elderly and other vulnerable people.

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