According to the Kiel economist Holger Görg, easing the strict 2G Corona rules for retail and gastronomy does not necessarily lead to better business. It is not at all clear whether the lifting of the rules would have positive economic effects. “It could lead to more sales because there are no hurdles for everyone to access shops and restaurants,” writes the acting head of the Institute for the World Economy (IfW) in an article published in Kiel on Friday.
“But sales could also fall because access for the unvaccinated or untested deters more potential customers who then no longer feel safe.” The economist therefore recommends “first of all observing the reaction of customers in comparative pilot projects, instead of lifting the width restrictions”.
2G means that only vaccinated and recovered people have access. If 2G-Plus applies, a negative test or proof of a booster vaccination must also be available. Retail and hospitality industry associations have been calling for an end to these rules for some time. In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, the 2G rule in retail will no longer apply from Monday.
The German Retail Association (HDE) only pointed out again on Tuesday what it believes to be the fatal role of 2G for the industry. “This measure, which is useless in the fight against the pandemic, must finally be taken nationwide,” demanded HDE CEO Stefan Genth. The associations of the hospitality industry are also campaigning for relaxation.
According to IfW economist Görg, 2G can “even help to attract more customers, since they are more likely to take a trip to a restaurant knowing that other people have also been vaccinated, recovered and may also have tested negative “. Görg therefore recommends pilot projects in a few well-considered locations. “If the pilot projects are doing better, this could indicate that a reversal of the measures is good for the hospitality industry and trade. If not, it is likely that the problem is unfortunately less the restrictions than the corona pandemic itself.” (dpa)