People infected with the coronavirus in Germany will still be required to self-isolate from May, following a U-turn by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

As part of a gradual lifting of anti-coronavirus measures, or at least those decided upon by the German government rather than the individual states, Mr Lauterbach had planned to make quarantine voluntary from May 1.

He, however, told German media on Tuesday evening that he had changed his mind.

Explaining the decision on Twitter on Wednesday, he wrote, “Ending the order to isolate by the health authorities after an infection in favour of a voluntary system would be wrong and will no longer happen. I made a mistake here.’’

The planned change would have relieved the burden on health authorities, but it would send a “wrong and harmful’’ signal, he said. “Coronavirus is not a cold. Therefore, there must continue to be isolation after infection. Ordered and controlled by the health authorities.’’

He said the isolation period would still be reduced to five days as planned.

Another difficult day is looming for Lauterbach this Thursday, with his earlier hope for a general vaccine mandate expected to be quashed by parliament.

In a free vote, the lawmakers will choose from a range of options, but introducing compulsory vaccination for all over-18s is unlikely to muster enough support in the Bundestag.

Mr Lauterbach has since supported a compromise proposal for a staged introduction of compulsory vaccination.

Germany’s three-party coalition, too, is split on the issue.

For example, top figures in the liberal Free Democrats had tabled a motion rejecting any vaccine mandates.

(dpa/NAN)