Dhe energy crisis still has Europe in its grip. From August, the EU countries want to save gas for emergencies. It is still unclear exactly how this will affect consumers. In other areas, however, there will be concrete effects in the coming month – for example in employment contracts and investments. An overview:
Second stage of mandatory measles vaccination
To protect against contagious measles, the second stage of the compulsory vaccination for schools and day-care centers introduced two years ago is now taking effect. The deadline for submitting vaccination certificates for children and employees who were already in the facilities on March 1, 2020 ended on Sunday.
The deadline was originally supposed to expire on July 31 of last year. However, it was then extended twice because the Corona crisis made processes more difficult. Since March 2020, the obligation has applied to new admissions to daycare centers and schools.
The measles vaccination requirement applies to community facilities where many people come together. Since March 1, 2020, proof has been required in day care centers or schools for children at least one year old before they can be admitted: by vaccination card, with the yellow examination booklet or a medical certificate if the child has already had measles.
Proof of children and employees who were already in the facilities on March 1, 2020 had to be there by Sunday. If this does not happen, the management must notify the health department, which decides on a case-by-case basis whether there are bans on activities or entry.
Unvaccinated children can be excluded from daycare, as explained by the Federal Ministry of Health. This is not possible in schools because of compulsory schooling. In the end, fines of up to 2500 euros can also be imposed.
Bafög rates are increasing
For students, trainees and pupils who receive student loans, numerous simplifications will apply from August 1st.
The Bafög rates increase by almost six percent, the maximum subsidy rate is raised from 861 euros to 934 euros. The so-called basic requirement rate increases by 5.75 percent to 452 euros per month. The housing allowance for students who do not live at home with their parents will increase by eleven percent from 325 euros to 360 euros.
In addition, Bafög recipients who do not live with their parents receive a one-time heating subsidy of 230 euros for the 2021/2022 heating period.
Employment contracts must be more transparent
From August 1st, new employment contracts must contain more information. This concerns, among other things, details on payment – including overtime – or that employees can freely choose their place of work if this has been agreed, how long a possible probationary period lasts and until exactly when the employment relationship lasts in the case of fixed-term contracts.
Use less gas with the emergency plan
Because of the energy crisis, the EU countries want to use less gas from this month. An emergency plan provides for member states to voluntarily reduce national consumption by 15 percent in the period from August to March 31, 2023.
How the goal is to be achieved is left to the states. With the plan, the EU wants to take precautions in the event that Russia cuts off gas supplies completely.
Sustainable investments
From August 2nd, investment advisors must ask customers about their sustainability preferences and then present investors with suitable offers. The background is an EU directive.
beginning and end of the school year
“Back to the classes” will soon be the motto for schoolchildren in Germany. The boys and girls in North Rhine-Westphalia will be the first to return from the summer holidays, starting August 10th. In Bavaria, the latest federal state, the holidays don’t start until August 1st.
Imitation products in the pharmacy
From August 16, patients who take certain biological medicines will no longer receive the original medicine in the pharmacy, but an imitation product. These so-called biosimilars are cheaper for the health insurance companies than the original preparations. They are produced when the patent protection of a biological drug expires. Biological drugs are used, for example, to treat cancer and rheumatism, as well as in hormone treatment to fulfill the desire to have children.
Whitening agent titanium dioxide banned in food
Titanium dioxide is banned as an additive in food (E171). The substance is often used to whiten chewing gum, spreads and toothpaste. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had come to the conclusion that damage to genetic cell material by titanium dioxide as a food additive could not be ruled out.
set up a limited company online
It is also possible to set up a limited liability company (GmbH) via the Internet under certain conditions. In the future, you no longer have to attend the necessary appointment with the notary in person, but can do it online via video conference. The entry in the commercial register, which is necessary for founding a GmbH, can then be processed online with the notary.
9 euro ticket and tank discount ends
The 9 euro ticket and the tank discount are only valid until the end of the month. Both are part of the government relief packages, which are intended to compensate for the increased energy and fuel prices for citizens. The tank discount makes the fuel bill 35 cents per liter cheaper. There is a heated discussion about a successor to the 9-euro ticket – especially about the billions of euros in financing that is required.
TV classics return from the summer break
In August, some TV formats will return from the summer break, such as some current talk shows from ARD and ZDF. The return of the ARD Monday talk “Hart aber fair” with Frank Plasberg is planned for August 15th, and that of Sandra Maischberger for August 30th. The first new “crime scene”, on the other hand, should not be available until September. The ZDF “heute show” will also pause until September.
