Corona virus
VDMA Service Portal
The Corona pandemic poses numerous challenges for companies' day-to-day operations. Our service portal provides VDMA members with country and travel advice, information on legal and insurance issues, and helpful links to other organizations.
The Corona-related lockdowns and restrictions in China are leaving deep scars on local machinery and plant manufacturers. Only a minority of companies currently anticipate an improvement in the business situation in the coming six months.
The planned tax aid measures to further deal with the Corona crisis are a step in the right direction. However, the period for carrying out a loss carryback should be extended to five years and declining balance depreciation should be implemented permanently.
The fourth Corona Tax Relief Act is intended to bring about a permanent extension of the loss carryback and an extension of declining balance depreciation. The coalition is rightly continuing important aid measures, but they are not ambitious enough.
The revised Corona Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance largely relieves employees of their personal responsibility in the future. Companies, on the other hand, will continue to have measures in place that they will also have to pay for. This does not add up.
The EU-Commission has proposed to extend the validity of the COVID certificate until 30 June 2023 to ensure unhindered travel within the EU.
Entry into South Africa is possible with valid proof of vaccination. For the unvaccinated, a negative COVID-19 antigen test is now sufficient.
The mechanical engineering sector in Germany has performed very well in a difficult year 2021 and is entering the coming months with plenty of confidence despite the Corona pandemic.
See also our video .
A clever interplay between politics and business will determine how well the new "traffic light"-coalition masters the challenges ahead. The industrial middle class is ready to contribute its efficiency.
Only in a few sectors will there be an obligation for employees to inform their employers about their vaccination status. However, as long as there is no obligation to provide information, companies will be deprived of an important prerequisite for effectively reducing the risk of infection in the workplace.
Employers and employees must do everything to reduce the risk of infection in companies to zero. This includes at least an obligation to inform employees whether they have been vaccinated or not.
Short-time work is declining, employment is rising, the economy has picked up speed. Time to reconsider lump-sum state Corona aid for companies and employees.
As of February 1, 2022, Chile further flexibilizes entry for foreigners. A new immigration law does not change anything for assemblers.
The EU Commission is drawing its lessons from the Corona pandemic. From the VDMA's point of view, it is clear that only open markets and global partnerships contribute to economic recovery.
The uncoordinated border closures during the Corona pandemic have shown that the internal market is not crisis-proof. It must be strengthened, which is why a new Schengen strategy is the right thing to do. Member States must seek European solutions.
The federal government has announced that it will involve company doctors in the vaccination strategy at the beginning of June. In order for the campaign against the Corona virus to gain further momentum, the promise must be implemented.
The EU should quickly agree on a single European vaccination passport and introduce the Digital Green Certificate across Europe. This would greatly facilitate the posting of workers within the EU.
Company doctors must be provided with sufficient vaccine from the outset.
The Corona crisis tempts to "short-sightedness": What are the daily case numbers and what is the status of the vaccination progress? However, it is also important to look ahead and ask how Germany is positioning itself as a business location and how it must transform itself. The VDMA is actively involved in this dialogue with politicians.
The mandatory offering of self-tests in companies is manageable for machine and plant manufacturers. The VDMA now expects the public authorities to ensure that the vaccination campaign in Germany continues to gain momentum and is organized efficiently.
The mechanical and plant engineering sector is defying the pandemic and picking up speed again. Many companies expect production to increase in 2021. The government is now called upon to accompany this with an innovation-friendly policy for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The German Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) has announced that the SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance will not be renewed.
The provision of Section 56 (1) of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) makes the granting of compensation for periods of quarantine dependent on vaccination status.
The revision of the SARS-CoV-2 occupational health and safety rule continues to be a long time coming. The responsible work group of the Workplace Committee will not discuss this again until May 11, 2022.
How can employers react to the presentation of a forged vaccination card? Give a warning or immediately terminate the employment? The ArbG Düsseldorf has ruled on a corresponding case.
With the new SARS-CoV-2 occupational health and safety regulation, the home office obligation also expired on March 20, 2022.
The Corona pandemic continues to cause considerable uncertainty in both the personal and professional spheres.
Special regulations for receiving short-time allowance continue to apply until 30 June 2022. On 11 March 2022 the Bundesrat (upper house of the German parliament) approved the Short-Time Workers' Compensation Extension Act.
Are periods of quarantine ordered by the authorities to be credited against vacation? This is disputed between regional labor courts - an overview
An employer may introduce a "2G model" and terminate employees who do not have a Corona vaccination even before the start of the contract.
Berlin Administrative Court considers one-time vaccination with Johnson sufficient and shortening of convalescent status to 90 days unlawful.
In its new technical guidelines, the RKI has removed the shortening of the duration on the convalescent status for vaccinated persons.
On 9 February 2022, the Federal Cabinet adopted a formulation aid for the coalition factions on the extension of the special regulations when drawing short-time allowance.
Osnabrück Administrative Court finds shortening of convalescent status to 90 days unconstitutional
Against the background of the recently extended short-time allowance regulations and other open questions, the Federal Employment Agency has published the following technical directives on short-time allowance:
On January 14, the Bundesrat (upper house of the German parliament) approved the ordinance passed by the federal cabinet to amend the Covid 19 protective measures exemption ordinance and the coronavirus entry ordinance.
A Lockdown may justify rent adjustment due to the German frustration doctrine. Each case is subject to an individual reasonableness test. There is, however, no defect in the rental object.
Anyone who refuses regular corona tests contrary to a hygiene concept does not have to be employed or remunerated.
The submission of a "mask exemption certificate" neither excludes the right to direct nor does this give rise to a claim for transfer.
Termination for refusal to participate in company corona tests without prior warning is invalid
On 10 December 2021 the Bundestag and the Bundesrat decided on the continuation of the increased benefit rates.
A works council member with a current negative PCR test may not be excluded from a works council meeting with reference to "2G rules".
With the amendment of the SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations on 24 November 2021, the employer's duty to offer Corona testing remains in place.
The SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Regulation has been extended and revised in a few respects.
In mid-November 2021, the Bundestag and Bundesrat passed far-reaching amendments to the Infection Protection Act and other laws.
It is right and overdue that the policy now meets the demand for mandatory information on the vaccination status of employees. The initiative comes late, hopefully not too late.
Persons with a mini-job are not entitled to continued payment of wages in the event of official plant closures due to the pandemic
Several federal states already make the granting of compensation dependent on the vaccination status of the employee. Now a uniform practice of the authorities has been agreed upon.
Several states want to make the award of compensation during a quarantine conditional on the worker's vaccination status.
The question repeatedly arises as to how § 616 BGB is to be applied in the case of compensation for loss of earnings pursuant to § 56 IfSG as a result of quarantines ordered by the authorities.
Home office is now in principle not a milder means in comparison to a notice of termination due to a change in the employment relationship
Those who are in corona-related quarantine during their vacation do not get their vacation back without further ado.
A quarantine ordered in the Corona pandemic does not preclude continued payment of wages by the employer in the event of illness.
On 23 June 2021, the Federal Cabinet adopted the new version of the Corona - Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance - with effect from 1 July 2021.
The Higher Regional Court of Cologne (Case No.: 1 U 9/21) has ruled that a cancellation of hotel rooms booked before the outbreak of the pandemic justifies a 50/50 split of the booking costs.
From 07 June 2021, company doctors will also be involved in the decentralised COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The Regional Court of Cologne has ruled that the cancellation of a trade fair scheduled for March 2020 at the end of February 2020 was not culpably in breach of duty - despite the absence of an official order at the time.
Following publication of the government draft on 20.01.2021, the biggest reform of partnership law in over 100 years could be implemented before the end of this legislative period.
As things stand at present, the temporary suspension of the obligation to file for insolvency granted by the legislator under certain conditions will probably expire on 30 April 2021.
According to the LAG Düsseldorf, no vacation entitlements accrue during short-time work zero due to the lack of a duty to work.
A quarantine order by the employer without an official obligation does not lead to the loss of the obligation to continue to pay wages
On January 19, 2021, further tightening was passed to supplement or amend existing measures to contain the Corona pandemic.
On the question of whether the employer may demand a negative Corona test for entry to the company, there is a first decision which in this respect proves the employer right.
The bridging aid has been improved and expanded once again from January 2021 and now also offers more mechanical engineering companies the opportunity to use and help with financing. Bridging aid is a grant towards fixed costs that does not have to be repaid. The Corona assistance funding period covers November 2020 to June 2021, and the maximum monthly funding amount for all companies is now up to €1.5m.
On December 3, 2020, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) extended its special regulation for determining incapacity for work until March 31, 2021.
Companies may unilaterally order short-time work if necessary, even by giving notice of termination without notice, e.g. in order to avert the threat of insolvency.
Against the backdrop of the still rising infection figures, the Federal Government and the Länder decided on 19 January 2021 to introduce further tightening measures to contain the Corona pandemic.
The employer is entitled to order the wearing of a mask covering the mouth and nose during working hours.
The VDMA has compiled advice and experience from various companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector on how to maintain production despite a pandemic.
Short-time work, home office, sick leave and the opportunities of the crisis. Here you can read an overview of the assessments of the HR managers in our industry. In the download you will find the complete presentation of the results.
The VDMA Legal Department has updated its notes on the factual and legal situation in connection with COVID 19. The fifth edition of the leaflet, dated 13.01.2021, is now available.
In the opinion of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the conditions for urgent awards for the purchase of services are met.
Checklists, information on legal and insurance aspects, and contacts at VDMA.
Update of the communication interface for automated guided vehicles. Version 2.0.0 now available
Production volume of German intralogistics suppliers grows to 22.6 billion euros in 2021 8 percent growth expected for 2022
VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association with new Chairman of the Board of Directors
Production forecast for 2021 increased to plus 10 percent +++ Exports catch up in the coming months
The manufacturer-independent networking of automated guided vehicles has taken a major step forward. Six companies tested the VDA 5050 interface together with their vehicles at the AGV Mesh-Up. The event was part of this year's TEST CAMP Intralogistics of the IFOY AWARD.
Association's Executive Board elects KION boss as Chairman Dr. Klaus-Dieter Rosenbach hands over VDMA office
A project team of users and manufacturers of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) is presenting the new VDA 5050 interface, which enables the systems and control software to communicate with each other regardless of manufacturer. The first live test of the project can be seen under the auspices of VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association at the TEST CAMP Intralogistics of IFOY AWARD on 25 and 26 March 2021 in Dortmund.
Production volume down 10 percent in 2020 +++ Export business down approx. 15 percent
Pre-competitive joint research in the Research Association IFL+++ Currently 18 ongoing projects with a funding amount of 4.4 million euros
exklusiv
The Infection Protection Act with the 3G proof obligation at the workplace presents the mechanical and plant engineering industry with an additional administrative burden that will not decrease in the near future.
Since the end of November 2021, 3G is mandatory in the workplace. What is supposed to have a positive effect on the development of the pandemic poses major challenges for practitioners in companies.
The state government has approved the extension of continuing necessary Corona assistance programs in the state.
Bavaria's mechanical and plant engineering sector expects to make up, at least in part, for the severe economic setback suffered by Corona in the current year.
The 9th VDMA flash survey shows that the effects of the corona pandemic for the mechanical and plant engineering industry in NRW are not as serious as feared. Nevertheless, there is still a rocky road ahead.
The state-specific NRW results of the VDMA's 8th "Blitz" survey show that - contrary to initial hopes - the economic recovery is still some way off.
The Saarland state government is expanding its package of measures to help Saarland companies in the Corona crisis.
All information specific to the state of Hesse has been compiled on a single Internet site for all departments. Among other things, all ordinances and general ordinances on combating the corona virus are available here at a glance and as downloads.
The 7th VDMA flash survey shows that the majority of mechanical engineering companies in North Rhine-Westphalia expect the situation to improve in 2021 after a disappointing year in 2020.
The worldwide spread of the corona virus (2019-nCoV) also leads to numerous questions for companies. The Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture publishes important information and contact persons for affected companies.
According to the VDMA's 6th flash survey, the vast majority of NRW machine builders (more than 80 percent) are confident of returning to the nominal sales level of 2019 by 2022.
According to the VDMA's 5th flash survey, almost all of the North Rhine-Westphalian mechanical and plant engineering companies surveyed see their operations impaired.
Over the past few weeks, the Executive Board of the North Rhine-Westphalia Regional Association has held intensive discussions on the impact of the Corona crisis on the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
Exclusive advisory talks and information, web meetings, an intensive exchange with politicians and publicity campaigns: Even in times of crisis, the VDMA is there for its members.
83 percent of the mechanical engineering companies in North Rhine-Westphalia have already taken measures to adjust capacity.
The "Procurement" task force of the NRW ministries coordinates inquiries and offers via central mail address.
For your information and convenience, we have compiled an overview and the corresponding contact details and web addresses below. We hope that this will help you in your work. If you have any questions or general queries or concerns during this difficult period, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The VDMA NRW is closely monitoring the developments around the corona virus. For VDMA members, topic-specific information on legal and insurance-related issues is available.
Various information portals are available to member companies for dealing with the corona pandemic: in addition to a central VDMA website, the North Rhine-Westphalia regional association also offers a constantly updated website with NRW-specific information.
Due to the corona pandemic, a growing number of companies in various industries are facing completely new challenges. In the meantime, the Federal Government has also sharpened its instruments for comprehensive liquidity protection and uncomplicated receipt of the short-time working allowance.
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Helpful Informations
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Federal Foreign Office
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Corona crisis: short time allowance
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KfW Corona support for companies
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Government support for industry
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BMWI: Überbrückungshilfen Mittelstand
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Government support "go-digital"
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Corona: world market impact
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Robert Koch Institut
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Corporate pandemic planning
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Operation of air conditioning and ventilation
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Trade Fair Association AUMA: Changes in dates of trade fairs
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Data protection in the Corona crisis context
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Information given by DAkkS
