Parliamentary Activity in the German Bundestag This Week
In a series of amendments to the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG), the government has made significant changes to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccination Mandate for Health Workers
The most recent significant amendment, passed on 10 December 2021, introduced a vaccine mandate for health workers in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors' offices, and similar facilities. This mandate, which took effect on 15 March 2022, requires proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.
Proposed Extensions to the Vaccine Mandate
Subsequent proposals aimed to extend the vaccine mandate to the general population. Initially, there was support within parts of the government and the German Ethics Council for a general vaccine mandate for all adults. However, legal challenges and political disagreements stalled this, and efforts to pass a vaccine mandate for all adults were effectively shelved by April 2022. Instead, a proposal for a mandate targeting those aged 60 and over was submitted, but it was ultimately rejected by the Bundestag on 7 April 2022.
Current Status
As of August 2025, no newer amendments or proposed bills to further change the IfSG in regards to COVID-19 management were identified. This means that the status of these proposals remains as described: the broad general mandate was rejected, and only the health worker mandate passed and was implemented.
Energy Adjustments
In other news, the German government is introducing several energy-related adjustments. The EEG levy, currently at 3.723 cents/kWh, will be reduced to zero as of 1 July 2022. A one-time heating cost subsidy will be decided upon to cushion burdens for people with low incomes. Electricity suppliers will be required to separately display the amount by which the electricity bill has been reduced due to the lowered EEG levy in the next bill.
The Bill to Amend the Infection Protection Act will be in effect until autumn 2022. It will continue to regulate the nationwide mask requirement in public transportation.
Other Measures
Other measures include the continuation of Corona-related adjustments to remuneration agreements between the operators of approved preventive or rehabilitation facilities and health insurance funds. The Social Service Deployment Act (SodEG) will be extended to continue social services. The entitlement to compensation under § 56 (1a) IfSG in the event of pandemic-related increased care needs remains in effect.
In addition, a hotspot regulation will be introduced, allowing for more comprehensive protective measures to be taken locally. If gaps still persist, the Market Area Coordinator can purchase gas and storage capacities and store them. If there are discrepancies between the prescribed filling levels and the actual levels, the Market Area Coordinator can issue separate tenders for capacities.
Occupational health and safety ordinances will be enabled to continue, including occupational protection concepts and the assumption of costs for Corona tests by the employer. If storage users do not utilize the capacities they have booked, these capacities can be withdrawn and made available to the Market Area Coordinator. The revenue losses for transmission network operators will be covered by around 6.6 billion euros from the Energy and Climate Fund (EKF).
Looking Ahead
The current IfSG is set to expire on 19 March 2022. A bill is being introduced to mandate gas storage operators to maintain minimum filling levels at specified dates throughout the year. The Federal Government's Media and Communications Report 2021 explores how incentives can be set to promote the creation of cooperative media platforms.
These adjustments and measures aim to navigate Germany through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and address the challenges posed by energy costs.
