Germany Votes To Lift Nationwide COVID-19 Restrictions

Despite high COVID-19 infection rates in Germany, the country voted to lift the nationwide restrictions introduced in the last two years on Friday.

The measure was reported to be supported by 364 members of the Bundestag, while 277 voted against it and two deputies abstained.

The bill was brought forward by the coalition government of the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democrats (FDP). Every opposition party opposed the move.

According to the Robert Koch Institute for disease control, the incidence rate in the country, representing coronavirus cases per 100,000 people during one week reached another new record on Friday of 1,706.3.

Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach defended the easing, and said; "We can't continue to shield the whole country to protect a small group of those unwilling to be vaccinated and those not willing to go along with the measures to protect them."

Later on Friday, Germany's second house of parliament, the Bundesrat, which is made up of representatives from the 16 federal states, approved the bill.

The legislation means nationwide mask requirements will fall away everywhere except in facilities where vulnerable people are housed.

Pandemic restrictions, such as testing and vaccination requirements are set to be lifted nationwide from Sunday.