Authorities in Germany have indicated that unvaccinated people could be banned from cinemas and restaurants and that those who have taken the jab will have “more freedom.”

Angela Merkel’s chief of staff Helge Braun told Bild that if cases keep rising, new rules will be brought in that will ensure the unvaccinated are deprived of basic lifestyle activities.

“The number of new infections is increasing even faster than in the previous waves. That worries me very much,” said Braun.

“If we have a high rate of infection despite our testing procedures then the unvaccinated will have to reduce their contacts,” she added.

Braun went on to state that unvaccinated people, even if they test negative for COVID, would not be allowed to go to venues like restaurants, cinemas, or stadiums, because “the risk to everyone else is too high.”

Authorities are warning that Germany’s economy cannot handle a wave of people staying at home while urging employers to aggressively promote vaccination to their employees.

However, the deputy head of the Free Democratic Party, Wolfgang Kubicki, warned that such measures would mean the vaccination had been made mandatory, labeling it the de facto “introduction of compulsory vaccination through the back door.”

Armin Laschet, Merkel’s potential successor, said that the announcement was primarily about coercing Germans into taking the shot.