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The German government isn't planning to fine people who don't turn up to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments, a spokesperson said in Berlin on Monday.

"The government doesn't plan to introduce fines for not cancelled appointments," said Steffen Seibert, while stressing that people should get fully vaccinated and not allow themselves to be in "a false sense of security after the first" dose.

Health Ministry spokesperson Parissa Hajebi underlined Seibert's message, saying, "we are not introducing any penalties, we want to motivate citizens to get vaccinated, and we do not want to scare them off and threaten them with fines."

Seibert also commented on allegations made by Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Bundestag candidate, and former domestic intelligence agency boss, Hans-Georg Maassen, who recently accused public broadcasters of having a left-wing bias and suggested the possibility of a parliamentary inquiry into Norddeutscher Rundfunk.

"I see no reason to respond to statements made by individual candidates of the election campaign," said Seibert, before noting that that government has a "definitive and clear position for free and independent journalism."

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SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson, (German): "First of all, we appeal to people to get vaccinated, and especially, what I have just forgotten to mention, to get the second shot, not to be in a false sense of security after the first one. It is the second shots of all the vaccines we have on the market in Germany, except for the Johnson & Johnson, it is the second shot that really gives good protection against the virus. So please take this second vaccination seriously. The second appeal, please cancel the appointment that you do not need, that you cannot attend. And thirdly, as I said, the government doesn't plan to introduce fines for not cancelled appointments. But I hope the appeal will reach everyone."

SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson, (German): "I see no reason to respond to statements made by individual candidates of the election campaign. You know our basic position and that is a very definitive and clear position for free and independent journalism, which is a pillar of democracy in our country and which makes the most of its protection by the constitution."

SOT, Steffen Seibert, German government spokesperson, (German): "We have taken note of Reporters Without Borders adding Hungary to this list. I am not commenting on such lists in principle, I can in general say that all EU member states are bound by the Charter of Fundamental Rights, so it is also stated in the Treaty on European Union and Article 8, let me quote, 'the freedom of the media and their plurality are respected.'"

SOT, Parissa Hajebi, Health Ministry spokesperson (German): "We have no such data (about number of missed appointments), and as Mr Seibert has already said, we are not introducing any penalties, we want to motivate citizens to get vaccinated, and we do not want to scare them off and threaten them with fines, and that's the way it will stay."

SOT, David Helmbold, German Defence Ministry spokesperson (German): "In the course of the withdrawal, of course, the conditions in Afghanistan have changed, to which we have reacted accordingly. And there was a simplified procedure, and within this simplified procedure the Bundeswehr also provided support. We are basically not responsible for immigration visa matters, but in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry we have issued a lot if them. Until recently, until the Bundeswehr has withdrawn, travel documents were issued for 446 local workers and their families, i.e. a total of 2,250 people, and at the time it was a relatively small number of cases that are still open."

#Germany #Berlin #COVID19 #coronavirus #vaccinations

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