VThere was not much time left between the decision and implementation. “That could have been arranged a little differently,” says Ralf Wächter, division manager of the State Sports Association of Hesse. On August 17th, the Hessian state government announced the new Corona rules, two days later the clubs should have organized everything. According to the requirements of the federal government, Hesse has now also made the 3G rule the core of its escalation concept, which is intended to contain the pandemic. According to Wächter, this means more administrative work for sports clubs.
From an incidence of 35, i.e. 35 corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants in a Hessian district, club members must show a 3G certificate. This means they must either be tested, vaccinated or recovered if they want to enter the interiors of sports facilities. These include fitness studios, indoor swimming pools and sports halls. The club has to control it. If the incidence rises to more than 100, the 3G rule also applies to the clubs’ free seats.
Don’t be afraid of fakes
“Of course, the club boards like to work in sports, but they are not particularly happy about the increased effort, because the work is usually done on a voluntary basis,” says Wächter. The extra effort is accepted so that the sport can take place at all.
The trainer must now ask for the 3G certificate before the training begins. However, training groups did not change constantly, and someone with a vaccination certificate would not have to show their passport before each training session. “It will become a routine,” says Wächter. “But we don’t take it lightly.”
A look into the unknown: TG Bornheim also has to adapt to the 3G rules.
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Image: Lucas Bäuml
According to Wächter, this also applies to the corona tests. From October 11th, the federal and state governments will no longer pay the costs for the rapid tests, which are used as evidence. Wächter says: Anyone who does not want to be vaccinated “for whatever reason” but is also not prepared to pay for the tests can no longer take part in the training. Although he does not count on a large share, but: “In individual cases, this can lead to the club leaving, but at least to displeasure.”
The fact that clubs take on the test costs for their members “would exceed the financial possibilities”. There was no cause for concern that members could falsify tests: “We do not attribute so much criminal energy to someone who takes part in the training.” How the situation will develop in the autumn is unclear. “What we want is that the sport can be maintained with specifications that we can meet,” says Wächter. “If this is announced in good time, then we are satisfied.”
Different rules for top-class sport
The Frankfurt sports district sees it similarly. “It is definitely better than if everything were shut down,” says chairman Roland Frischkorn about the 3G certificate. “I am amazed that the rules for popular sport are stricter than for top-class sport.”
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