German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the government might consider restricting certain areas for members of the public who choose not to be vaccinated with the new COVID-19 jabs.
According to national news site Tag 24, there are mounting public fears in the German public about possible social segregation due to the COVID-19 vaccine, resulting in a possible two-class society.
During a recent interview with the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine, Merkel, 66, addressed the public concern saying that if the number of vaccinated people is much smaller than that of unvaccinated citizens, the state should not treat the two groups differently.
However, she added: “If we have made a vaccination offer to enough people and some of them do not want to be vaccinated at all, we would have to consider whether openings and access to certain areas should only be given to vaccinated people. But we are not there yet.
“In addition, it must first be clearly clarified that vaccinated people are no longer contagious.”
Merkel added that she advises against compulsory vaccination as the high willingness level makes it unnecessary.
However, for professionals who work in daycare centres and schools, vaccinations are obligatory.
She said: “In addition to the particularly vulnerable and elderly, I think it is correct to first invite population groups who cannot keep a distance in their jobs to be vaccinated. A daycare educator, a primary school teacher cannot do that. These are the people who should get a turn before someone like me.”
The 66-year-old chancellor said she is able to keep her distance at work and does not want to be vaccinated until it is her turn, according to the recommended prioritisation by the Standing Committee on Vaccination.
Merkel added that there is no reason to be pessimistic as she is confident about the German people’s willingness to be vaccinated.
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Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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