The MPs of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) stated that they agreed with the government’s decision not to lift any restrictions for the time being. The leader of the CSV’s parliamentary group, Martine Hansen, acknowledged that the B.1.1.7 variant of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in the UK, is spreading at an alarming rate in Luxembourg.
Hansen also stated that upon enquiry on Tuesday morning, the National Health Directorate revealed that so far 36 cases of this variant had been discovered in the Grand Duchy.
The biggest opposition party reiterated its criticism that the government did not have a long-term strategy to contain the virus and its side-effects. According to Hansen, there was no predictability, something which both private individuals and companies needed. She referred to the struggling Horesca sector, pointing out that her party had asked the government to name specific criteria that would indicate when and under which circumstances the sector could reopen. While the CSV’s motion was accepted at the time, her party had never received any answer to it, Hansen lamented. She also added that the aids provided by the state for affected businesses did not go far enough.
The CSV MP went on to say the government was not doing enough to protect vulnerable people and demanded the introduction of a concrete action plan. Regarding the vaccination strategy, Hansen stated that the deliveries were currently not the problem, but rather that the state seemed to be unable to properly administer the doses the country already had.
According to information obtained by RTL, the law extending the current Covid-19 measures past 31 January could be voted on by the Chamber of Deputies as early as Thursday.
The new air travel restrictions were not discussed in the Parliamentary Commission on Health on Tuesday. They are also not part of the draft bill.
The adapted law stipulates that cafés and restaurants will remain closed after 31 January, and the maximum number of visitors for one household remains two.
MP Mars di Bartolomeo from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) will once again act as rapporteur.
On Tuesday, the Parliamentary Commission on Health also discussed tracing. According to Minister of Health Paulette Lenert, the tracing form can be managed in greater detail thanks to the reduced number of new infections.
It was reiterated that the government would not allow other countries to dictate Luxembourg policies in the fight against the virus and that the government’s decisions were solely based on epidemiological considerations.
Another specification provided was that 90% of parents with children who are visiting a school in Luxembourg accepted that their children are tested for Covid-19, when the situation requires it.
