Germany to Exclude the Unvaccinated from Much of Public Life with New ‘2G’ Rules

Bicycling in the Bavarian Alps near Schloß Elmau

The German government announced new so-called 2G rules that exclude all individuals who have not yet been vaccinated for the coronavirus, or who don’t have proof of recovery from the virus, from almost all facets of life outside the home.

The rules restrict non-vaccinated individuals from entering restaurants, cafés, hotels, theaters, cinemas, hairdressers, and shops except for those carrying basic necessities such as grocers or apothecaries.

“2G” stands for “geimpft” (vaccinated) and “genesen” (recovered), and those who either vaccinated or recently recovered receive a barcode permitting entry into indoor spaces such as restaurants, cafés, museums, and fitness centers.

The new rules stopped short of a complete lockdown of non-vaccinated people, after negotiations between Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel, her successor, Olaf Scholz, and state Ministerpräsidenten.

Some forms of the new restrictions have already been in effect in some Bunderländer such as in Bavaria.

Scholz, the new Bundeskanzler who will take office on December 8, will push for legislation leading to a vaccine mandate, following the path of Austria, which recently mandated vaccines for all adults by February.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)