Germany is updating public health regulations to improve pandemic preparedness, approving an international agreement from the WHO.

Germany is revising public health regulations to better prepare for future pandemics, learning from the experience of the coronavirus pandemic. The Bundestag has approved an international agreement signed by over 190 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at improving cross-border information exchange and strengthening the capabilities of national laboratories in detecting and controlling infectious diseases.

The agreement introduces a new level of alert, called 'pandemic emergency', which can be declared by the WHO. Conservative MP Sascha van Beek emphasized that the reform will not limit Germany's national sovereignty, stating that WHO recommendations will remain non-binding advice.