Proposals for German "Freedom Day" met with fierce criticism

One of the country's most high-profile doctors has suggested that Germany should follow the example of the UK and do away with all coronavirus restrictions on October 30, in its own “Freedom Day." The idea has been heavily criticised. 

German “Freedom Day” in six weeks’ time?

The head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Andreas Gassen, said that Germany should follow in the UK’s footsteps and lift all coronavirus restrictions at the end of October.

On what was dubbed “Freedom Day," July 19 saw the UK government lift all coronavirus restrictions in England, including mask and limited capacity requirements. In the months since, the case rate has fluctuated a lot, falling rapidly at the end of July, rising through August and early September, and then easing off again. 

Gassen said that this result was encouraging: “After the experience of Britain, we should also have the courage to do what worked on the island,” Gassen said in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. “So what’s needed now is a clear announcement from politicians: it’s Freedom Day here too! On October 30, all restrictions will be lifted.” 

He added that the healthcare system in the UK has been able to cope since “Freedom Day”: “That’s encouraging, especially since the German healthcare system is significantly more efficient than the British one and could treat significantly more seriously ill patients, which we hope we won’t have either.” 

Politicians and doctors criticise Gassen’s proposal

Unsurprisingly, Gassen’s proposals have not been met with unanimous support, with figures from both the medical and political communities coming forward to express their scepticism. Helge Braun, Angela Merkel’s chief of staff, said unequivocally that the idea was not a good one: “We should not promise to lift restrictions until the percentage of those vaccinated has increased significantly,” he said. 

Karl Lauterbach, the SPD health expert, was also critical. Gassen had suggested that the announcement of a “Freedom Day” could encourage more people to get vaccinated, but Lauterbach said this was “unrealistic.” Instead, he suggested that Germany set a goal of an 85 percent vaccination rate, and promise substantial relaxations as soon as that target is reached. 

As of Tuesday, September 21, 81,8 percent of the UK population over the age of 16 is fully vaccinated against coronavirus - or about 65 percent of the total population. In Germany, 63,3 percent of the total population has received two jabs.