New daily record for vaccinations in Germany

STORY: Germany Virus Spahn - New daily record for vaccinations in Germany

LENGTH: 02:14

FIRST RUN: 1036

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: German/Natsound

SOURCE: RTL CORONA POOL

STORY NUMBER: 4325814

DATELINE: 14 May 2021 - Quakenbrueck

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

RTL CORONA POOL

Quakenbrueck - 14 May 2021

1. Spahn arriving at Bundeswehr vaccine storage and distribution center

2. Spahn during tour of storage and distribution center

3. SOUNDBITE (German) Jens Spahn, German Federal Health Minister:

"On Wednesday, we were able to collectively achieve a new daily record for Germany with 1.35 million vaccinations in one day, thanks to the work of the vaccination centres as well as the work of the doctors' offices. On Wednesday and Thursday, yesterday even on a public holiday, almost 2% of Germans were vaccinated. I think that is an order of magnitude that also makes it clear how quickly we can by now proceed there."

4. Pan from Spahn to forklift loading pallet with vaccine into container

5. SOUNDBITE (German) Jens Spahn, German Federal Health Minister:

"Well, it feels good for me too, to see the infection figures in the morning and to see that they're going down. And then there's the good weather, and somehow you're in a better mood than you were in the winter, there's no doubt about that. But now we must all together take great care to secure what has been achieved and not want too much too quickly, because that could backfire."

6. Various of Spahn inspecting refrigerated container

7. SOUNDBITE (German) Jens Spahn, German Federal Health Minister:

"I can only advocate choosing and planning on the destinations which really are very, very low (in terms of infections) and, in case of doubt, not going on a faraway journey. So, if I may say so here in Lower Saxony, perhaps choose the Northsea rather than the South Pacific. I understand the longing, but we are still in the pandemic."

8. Spahn walking at vaccine centre

9. Spahn getting into car

STORYLINE:

Germany's coronavirus infection rate dropped to its lowest level in nearly two months on Friday, while the health minister announced the country had its most successful day yet of its vaccination campaign earlier this week.

Still, health minister Jens Spahn called for caution as authorities move towards allowing a more normal life, urging officials to hold off on fully reopening restaurants and calling for Germans to consider their choice of vacation destinations carefully.

The national disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, said the number of weekly new cases per 100,000 inhabitants stood at 96.5 — the first time since March 20 that it has been lower than 100.

There are still considerable variations between regions, many of which are still subject to a curfew and other rules that kick in when an area's weekly infections are above 100 per 100,000 people.

At the same time, Germany's vaccination campaign — which was much criticized for a slow start — continues to accelerate.

Spahn said 1.35 million shots were administered on Wednesday, the highest one-day total so far. That was followed by 408,260 on Thursday, a public holiday.

Germany has now given at least one dose to nearly 29.9 million people, or 35.9% of its population. And 8.8 million people, or 10.6%, are now fully vaccinated.

The improving situation is raising hopes of restaurants, for example, reopening after months of closures.

However, Spahn stressed the need for caution, saying that activities outdoors can be allowed but appealing for regional authorities to wait until weekly new cases drop below 50 per 100,000 residents before reopening indoor parts of restaurants.

"We must all take great care ... to secure what has been achieved and not want too much too quickly, because that could backfire," Spahn said during a visit to a vaccine storage and distribution center.

Prospects of summer vacations also are rising.

While Germany has never had a ban on nonessential travel, the government is still advising against it but expects to relax that advice in time for the summer.

"I can only advocate choosing and planning on the destinations which really are very, very low (in terms of infections) and, in case of doubt, not going on a faraway journey," Spahn said.

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