In Germany, the law amending the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) has come into force. On Wednesday, the Forum of Vending Machine Entrepreneurs enlightened its members about the applicable 3G regulations and other provisions in gaming halls and other terrestrial gaming venues. Forum managing director Anja Bischof received support from lawyers and specialist jurists Dirk Stapel and Frank Repschläger.
According to the industry magazine Games & Business, lawyer Dirk Stapel explained at the meeting that the guidelines of the IfSG applied nationwide. At the same time, the ordinances of the respective federal states would have to be observed.
3G in the workplace
One of the most important parts of the law is the mandatory 3G regulation in the workplace. With immediate effect, workers at venues would have to be either vaccinated, recovered, or tested.
Stapel emphasized:
“Every employee in your company is affected”.
The directive would entail mandatory testing for unvaccinated workers. Self-tests will be recognized as a valid test procedure according to the IfSG if another person performs them in the company. Alternatives include rapid antigen tests (up to 24 hours old) or PCR tests (up to 48 hours old). Stapel qualified that the self-tests would not be recognized in Thuringia. Read our fresh 10CRIC casino review.
To keep an overview because of the confusing vaccination and the testing situation in the business, arcade operators were recommended to keep lists of their employees' names and calendar days. The respective status checks could be carried out using the free COVID check apps.
However, employees are responsible for providing proof of testing. Copies of the results or the employees' vaccination and recovery certificates are prohibited for data protection reasons.
Stricter regulations possible
The 16 regulations of the federal states on COVID protection in combination with the new IfSG make the situation very confusing for operators. Basically, stricter regulation is applied in each case, according to attorney Stapel.
Accordingly, for example, a 2G rule for guests has applied in been Bavaria since November 24. Also, unvaccinated employees would have to furnish twice in the week a PCR test proof. The latter has also applied in Thuringia since last week.
To make it easier for visitors to access venues, they are allowed to keep a list of their customers' vaccination certificates if they declare their consent. This would eliminate the need for the players to present their certificates each time they revisit the venue.
Thuringia also plans to introduce the 2G rule for gamblers, he said. A curfew for arcades from 10 p.m. was also being discussed in the state.
In addition, the forum pointed out that further restrictions could well be added. For example, the states would have the option of imposing even stricter requirements in their areas.
