The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges in psychiatric hospitals, particularly in the context of the treatment of people under involuntary commitment. The question arises at various points in the procedure for and process of involuntary commitment whether procedural modifications or further restrictive measures are necessary to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and protect all people involved from infection. In the light of current developments in Germany, this article examines under which conditions changes in the treatment of people under involuntary commitment are ethically justified in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among others, we discuss ethical arguments for and against involuntary commitments with reference to COVID-19, the use of different coercive interventions, the introduction of video hearings, an increased use of video surveillance and interventions based on the German Infection Protection Act. We argue that strict hygiene concepts, the provision of sufficient personal protective equipment and frequent testing for COVID-19 should be the central strategies to ensure the best possible protection against infection. Any further restrictions of the liberty of people under involuntary commitment require a sound ethical justification based on the criteria of suitability, necessity and proportionality. A strict compliance with these criteria and the continued oversight by external and independent control mechanisms are important to prevent ethically unjustified restrictions and discrimination against people with the diagnosis of a mental disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.

中文翻译：

---

在哪些情况下，在 COVID-19 大流行期间改变对非自愿承诺的人的待遇是合理的？对德国当前发展的伦理评估。

COVID-19 大流行给精神病院带来了重大挑战，特别是在非自愿承诺患者的治疗方面。问题出现在非自愿承诺程序和过程的各个点上，是否需要修改程序或进一步限制性措施以尽量减少 COVID-19 的传播并保护所有相关人员免受感染。鉴于德国目前的事态发展，本文研究了在哪些条件下，鉴于 COVID-19 大流行，对非自愿承诺下的人的待遇的变化在道德上是合理的。除其他外，我们讨论了关于 COVID-19 的支持和反对非自愿承诺的伦理论据、使用不同的强制性干预措施、引入视频听证会、根据《德国感染保护法》增加使用视频监控和干预措施。我们认为，严格的卫生理念、提供足够的个人防护设备和频繁检测 COVID-19 应该是确保最佳预防感染的核心策略。对非自愿承诺下的人员自由的任何进一步限制都需要基于适用性、必要性和相称性标准的合理的道德理由。严格遵守这些标准以及外部和独立控制机制的持续监督对于防止在 COVID-19 大流行期间被诊断为精神障碍的人在道德上不合理的限制和歧视非常重要。