The German government declared an intention to abolish free Covid testing to get more people vaccinated.
The decision came as part of the government’s efforts to incentivise those without jabs amid a rapidly rising case rate.
The growing coronavirus rate will worsen in the coming weeks, according to official figures.
Covid Regulations Updated
Under the new regulations, those who are not vaccinated will undergo tests as a condition for attending all manner of events.
Thus, indoor gatherings, restaurant visits, and church services will all need negative Covid-19 tests.
Moreover, masks will remain obligatory in indoor spaces such as offices, schools, shops, and public transport.
Meanwhile, some restrictions will stay in place to tackle a growing case rate.
However, critics of the decision to tighten current restrictions have called it a “vaccine mandate by the back door”.
WHO Raises Alarm Bells
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a new COVID wave across Europe as the Delta coronavirus variant spreads through the region.
The number of new cases across Europe rose by 10 per cent last week, the UN health agency’s regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, said.
“This is taking place in the context of a rapidly evolving situation. A new variant of concern, the Delta variant, and in a region where, despite tremendous efforts by member states, millions remain unvaccinated,” he added.
“There will be a new wave in the WHO European region unless we remain disciplined.”
The Delta variant is more transmissible than others. It was first identified in India. But it has spread rapidly across the UK.
However, Portugal was the first European Union nation to announce that the Delta variant was now dominant on its territory.
According to the World Health Organization, it is “well on its way” to account for most worldwide cases of Covid-19.
