HDE (German Retail Association) and ZIA (Central Real Estate Committee, the umbrella organization of the German real estate industry) have published a strategy paper in which they jointly formulate specific demands to policymakers to prevent a repetition of the past two fall/winter seasons. These include an exemption from lockdowns or access restrictions by vaccination or testing status (“2G” or ”3G”) even in the event of an epidemic situation of national scope, as well as the improvement of communication on masks as essential protective measures. In addition, the national vaccination campaign and the use of digital capabilities at health offices should contribute to decluttering and improving the transparency of the situation.
The associations hope this will help policymakers establish an effective strategy before the fall and deal with the pandemic in an evidence-based manner as it progresses. New general lockdowns in the face of the threat of another wave of infection in the coming fall would mean the end for many companies already battered by the first two years of the pandemic. “Therefore, the federal and state governments urgently need to develop an effective strategy. In close consultation with the industry, as also demanded by the federal expert commission, plans against a renewed lockdown must be developed that take into account the lessons and findings of the past,” the strategy paper reads.
The strategy paper (in German) can be downloaded here.
