Advocating for Tightened Controls on COVID-19 Measures
In Germany, concerns about the pandemic continue to shape public opinion. According to a recent survey conducted in late 2021, Germans are more worried about possible infections among unvaccinated children (57 percent) and severe illness among elderly individuals infected with the virus (73 percent).
The survey also revealed that a majority of Germans (71 percent) support the introduction of a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults. This support is consistent across party lines, with the exception of the AfD. Stricter contact restrictions (67 percent) and the closure of Christmas markets (57 percent) also find significant support.
However, the survey results indicate less support for closures in stationary retail (27 percent) and the gastronomy sector (31 percent). Renewed restrictions on schools (23 percent) and kindergartens (19 percent) also face opposition.
Interestingly, a ban on tourist overnight stays does not find support among the population, while a lockdown of cultural institutions is considered controversial. The survey also showed that six out of ten eligible voters (60 percent) in Germany believe that the existing COVID-19 measures are not strict enough.
The survey respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with the current management of the COVID-19 crisis. Critics primarily blame the federal government (49 percent) for the problems in containing the pandemic.
Looking back, Germany established various pandemic measures early on, advised by scientific bodies like the Robert Koch Institute and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The government initially implemented preventive measures to curb the spread, including some lockdowns and testing policies.
By 2025, there is ongoing political and public examination of Germany’s COVID-19 response, with a parliamentary Enquiry Commission formed to review the pandemic measures and draw lessons for future events. However, current detailed public opinion on specific measures such as a vaccine mandate or lockdowns in retail, schools, or childcare as of August 2025 is not specifically documented in the available recent sources.
As the Omicron variant emerges, concerns about new virus variants have increased. Six out of ten German citizens (60 percent) are currently worried about new virus variants, such as the Omicron variant. Two-thirds (64 percent) fear shortages in medical care for COVID-19 patients. The survey, conducted between November 29 and December 1, 2021, involved 1,316 participants.
Despite the ongoing concerns, one in fifteen (17 percent) thinks the current COVID-19 regulations are too strict. On the other hand, 79 percent criticize the current management of the COVID-19 crisis by the federal and state governments, with only one in five (20 percent) considering the current regulations appropriate.
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- The survey held in Germany in late 2021 highlighted the public's concern about medical-conditions, particularly infectious diseases in children (57%) and severe illness among elderly individuals with the virus (73%).
- In the same survey, it was revealed that a large proportion of Germans (71%) support a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults, with this support spanning across political parties.
- However, the survey results also indicate less support for restrictions in stationary retail (27%) and the gastronomy sector (31%), and renewed restrictions on schools (23%) and kindergartens (19%) also face opposition.
