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The federal government met with the heads of the 16 federal states for more than eight hours. But the result of the search for reliable crown rules for the fall does not satisfy everyone.
By Tom Schneider, ARD capital studio
It was around 9 p.m. after this long day at the Berlin Chancellery when the chancellor apparently broke his neck. “The announcements here are not harsh enough. Then we will come back here in two weeks,” Angela Merkel said, summing up the hours of deliberations, based on information from the participants.
The heads of the 16 federal states had already tangled with Merkel and various federal ministers at various points in seemingly intractable details. The Chancellor accused everyone of looking for a small loophole. The search for great uniformity for Corona’s rules this fall and winter doesn’t seem to have gotten very far.
Decision on accommodation ban postponed
Above all, it was eagerly anticipated whether a common denominator for travel restrictions might be possible, which is why various country leaders have been publicly beating each other for days. In the evening it was clear: before the end of the autumn holidays in all countries on November 8, this would not be possible. Countries such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt will initially continue to formulate requirements for travelers from areas with the highest number of infections according to their own rules.
Overnight stays in these countries are only allowed with a negative Corona test performed immediately before. Other countries like North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin or Saxony handle this diametrically differently and do not restrict travel at all. “I’m not satisfied with the tourist travel issue,” Merkel says dryly. But there is an urgent call to refrain from unnecessary travel.
“More mask, less alcohol, less party”
Prime Ministers appear to be united in assessing the seriousness of the situation. Figures as different as Berlin Mayor Michael Müller and Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder express similar concerns about the number of infections that are increasing in some parts of their countries. Müller talks about how important it is to formulate more restrictions on private celebrations and to make people aware of the problem. His colleague Söder sums up the needs behind this in a simple formula: “More mask, less alcohol, less party.”
But when ways to get there are discussed, unity quickly disappears. Müller visibly recognizes with the corners of his lips hanging when Söder rants about sanctions and penalties for infractions. And Söder, in turn, does not roll his eyes when Müller supports the need for all kinds of freedom in the capital. “A state cannot be a toothless tiger,” whispers Söder. And Müller replies: “Blocking is not an option for me.”
Merkel dissatisfied
In between, the Chancellor sits late on Wednesday night and is visibly dissatisfied with what has just been negotiated. Angela Merkel states that she believes that “the resolutions are very good”, but leaves no doubt that the measures will be critically evaluated within two weeks. “The economy depends on people’s health not being affected too much,” warns Merkel. “In view of the new indebtedness caused by the fight against the first wave of pandemics, we cannot financially afford a second wave.”
Merkel’s renewed call on citizens to take the restrictions seriously has now received a new chapter in the form of conditions for the celebration. This should be limited to a seven-day infection rate of 35 new Covid 19 cases per 100,000 residents. Pandemic experts would have advised it because the jump to the previous magic value of 50 infections in the exponentially increasing infection rate is only very small. In that case, only a maximum of 25 people should be allowed to gather for celebrations in public rooms, and only in private rooms 15. In these areas mask requirements and a curfew should also apply from 11 pm If all of this remains ineffective after ten days, there is a risk of restrictions on public contact, comparable to those in the spring.
Little agreement
Anyone who suspects a deal here is disillusioned by the fine print at the end of the seven-page decision document: in so-called protocol statements, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia doubt that the state-imposed restrictions on the four private walls can be legal; Lower Saxony also wants to verify legality first. And Saxony wants family celebrations to be completely exempt from such rules.
Berlin’s Prime Minister Müller admits that the private celebration zone is poorly controlled and difficult to control. That is why the public order offices must be specifically relieved and additional staff must be provided for additional staff for the important follow-up of contacts, also through the support of the Bundeswehr. Markus Söder, for his part, leaves no doubt that the new regulations will have to cause a shift in infection rates: “It is no longer five minutes to twelve, it is twelve”, says the Bavarian head of government. A similar round will assess whether this clock can really turn back in two weeks at the Chancellery.
