Although the Grand Duchy’s infection numbers are displaying a clear downward tendency, the rates are still too high to soften restrictions, Minister Lenert explained during the interview. She noted that there was a significant number of variables in the equation, which makes it difficult to assess the full risks of the situation. Potential repercussions from the festive days are still expected to hit over the coming days.
Lenert thus announced that a softening of measures was currently unlikely, event though the restrictions showed positive effects. The new British variant of the virus, which is much more contagious, has reached Luxembourg and can still change the evolution of the pandemic.
When asked about the vaccination campaign, Lenert refuted claims that the EU had not prepared adequately and missed opportunities to order more doses. She explained that until the end of March, around 36,000 people should be able to receive the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine in Luxembourg. The European Medicines Agency is also expected to approve the Moderna vaccine in the coming weeks, as well as the one from Astra/Zeneca. Luxembourg has an order of 50,000 units from the former, and 200,000 units from the latter.
The current phase of the vaccination campaign, which focuses on health care workers, is expected to last up to three months. Lenert believes enough people will be willing to get the vaccine over time and that trust will grow. She further noted that no differentiation will be made between those who got the vaccine, and those who did not.
CVS president Frank Engel has meanwhile taken to social media to comment on the situation, stating that both the Luxembourgish administration and the EU have failed to prepare for the extensive vaccination campaign. He laments that not enough doses have been ordered and that the wrong suppliers have been contracted. Despite his trust in the European Union itself, he believes that Luxembourg should have organised its own supply.
