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© WHAT
Due to concerns about the uncontrollable spread of the corona virus, Germany is tightening countermeasures.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the German federal states agreed on Wednesday uniform rules for cities and regions with a high number of infections. These include an expansion of the mask requirement, a limit on the number of guests at private celebrations, contact restrictions, and a restaurant curfew.
Even tougher measures cannot be ruled out
The federal and state governments do not rule out even tougher measures if the contagion situation does not improve in the next ten to twelve days. According to information from the German Press Agency, Merkel was dissatisfied with the decisions during the deliberations at the Chancellery. “The ads from us are not harsh enough to prevent us from disaster,” said the CDU politician, according to participants who agreed. “What we are doing here is not enough.”
After the meeting, Merkel emphasized whether the resolutions were sufficient or not, it will be seen. “That is why my discomfort has not disappeared as of today.” She is concerned about the exponential increase in infections. “We have to stop it. Otherwise, it won’t end well.” Merkel made it clear that her dissatisfaction is primarily related to the controversial accommodation bans.
Specifically, the Chancellor and Prime Ministers agreed to the following:
- MASKING OBLIGATION: In cities and regions with rapidly increasing crown numbers, the masking requirement will be expanded. Out of 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, it should also apply where people are closer or longer.
- PRIVATE CELEBRATIONS: In regions with a value of more than 35 new infections, there should be a limit of 25 participants in the public space and 15 participants in the private space. Starting from 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, private celebrations should be limited to a maximum of ten participants in public spaces and a maximum of ten participants from a maximum of two homes in private spaces.
- CONTACT RESTRICTIONS: If new infections exceed the value of 50, in the future only a maximum of ten people will be allowed to gather in public spaces. If the new measures do not stop the increase, it will be reduced to five people or members of two households.
- CLOSING TIME: Also with 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, a curfew will be imposed at 11 pm for restaurants. Bars and clubs will be closed.
- EVENTS: If the value of 50 is exceeded, the number of participants in the events is limited to 100 people. Exceptions require a hygiene concept agreed with the responsible health department.
- ACCOMMODATION PROHIBITIONS: Accommodation bans for vacationers from risk areas within Germany were the most controversial before the consultations. The federal and state governments also did not reach an agreement in the Foreign Ministry and postponed the issue until November 8. Until then, the effectiveness of this measure must be verified.
Avoid traveling within Germany
However, the federal and state governments urged all citizens to avoid unnecessary travel within Germany to and from areas that exceeded the limit of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the past seven days.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Hamburg will initially want to adhere to the scheme. Schwerin’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) is thinking of easing up. He announced that he would check if the quarantine of at least five days and the obligation to carry out a subsequent test would not apply in the future.
Most federal states decided last Wednesday that citizens of places with a very high number of corona infections can only be housed when traveling within Germany if they can present a negative corona test that is no more than 48 hours old. This should work for travelers from areas with more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days.
The numbers are increasing rapidly
The chancellor and prime ministers met again in person for the first time since June and discussed not only via video conference. The meeting was influenced by the massive increase in the number of infections in Germany and, in some cases, even more dramatic developments among many European neighbors. According to the Robert Koch Institute, 5,132 new infections were reported on Wednesday, more than since mid-April.
The head of the department of systems immunology at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Michael Meyer-Hermann, urgently warned against losing infection control at the meeting. “It is not five to twelve, but twelve to turn the boat,” he said, according to the Foreign Ministry participants. Germany is on the threshold of exponential growth.
Merkel: the second blockade is not affordable
After the meeting, Merkel asked people in Germany to make a concerted effort: “In this crucial critical phase of the fall, it is very, very important that everyone continues to participate.” The Chancellor emphasized: “In economic terms, we cannot afford a second wave like the one we had in the spring with such consequences.”
Berlin Prime Minister Michael Müller (SPD) stressed that Germany is now in a very decisive phase: “The stakes are high now.” Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) saw progress through the resolutions. “But if that’s enough it is open in my opinion. Actually, we are much closer to the second block than we want to admit.” The second crown wave is here. The situation now is almost more dangerous than in spring because winter is already imminent, warned Söder, who at the same time called on people to be “ahead of the wave” again through the restrictions.
Aid measures for companies
Meanwhile, the German Minister for Economic Affairs, Peter Altmaier (CDU), is planning more aid for companies that have been particularly affected by the Corona measures. The bridge aid, which has been in effect until the end of the year, will run for half a year until June 30, 2021. Economic performance in Germany collapsed in the second quarter.
Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) announced in Berlin on Wednesday that the new Corona test regulation would take effect on Thursday. Corona testing will focus more on risk groups and the health care system in the future, less on those returning to travel.
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