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Thursday 15 October 2020
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor met for more than eight hours, at the end of which they agreed on a catalog of measures that many of those involved fear will not be enough. Controversial “accommodation ban” issue postponed.
With stricter Corona requirements, the federal and state governments hope to curb the rapid rise in the number of infections, especially in German risk regions. At the same time, after her meeting with the prime minister on Wednesday night, Chancellor Angela Merkel offered the prospect of further adjustment. “We are talking about contact restrictions,” Merkel said. Now you have to see if the curfew is correct at 11 pm or if it should be done at 10 pm “That has to be sharp.”
The federal and state governments had previously agreed to lower the threshold for stricter measures in the strongholds of the German crown. These should take effect from 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days instead of the previous 50. There the requirement for masks will be expanded, the number of guests at private celebrations will be further limited, and a curfew will be introduced for restaurants.
The increase from 35 to 50 came quickly, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder warned: “And that’s why things change in days, not weeks.” He wasn’t sure the decisions made were enough, the CSU chief said. The managing director of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, Gerd Landsberg, also warned: “We clearly run the risk of the pandemic getting out of control.” The focus on risk areas is correct, he told the “Rheinische Post.” Several top politicians warned of a loss of control in dealing with the virus after the meeting.
For the German Foundation for Patient Protection, the strictest measures do not go far enough. The foundation’s board member, Eugen Brysch, urged binding targets to stabilize health authorities or to establish municipal medical and nursing support groups: “The stricter standards for corona hotspots can only be a first I happen here, “Brysch said. The dispute over accommodation prohibits superimposing solutions to problems.
Merkel warns of an unhappy ending
Merkel was concerned about an exponential increase in the number of infections. “We have to stop it. Otherwise, it won’t end well.” Berlin Mayor Michael Müller emphasized that he knew what people were supposed to do, but also asked: “What can we really do so that everyone understands: we are in a global crisis? And in a global crisis there are restrictions, and they can be much more dramatic than what we’ve decided together so far. “
The federal and state governments made an urgent appeal to the people in Germany to avoid unnecessary travel within Germany to and from risk areas.
Specifically, the Chancellor and Prime Ministers agreed to the following:
Mask requirement: From an incidence value of 35, a “supplemental mask requirement” should apply in the future, specifically when “people get closer or closer”. If the value rises above the threshold of 50, the mask requirement should be “extended” again.
Contact restrictions: During Corona’s first wave in the spring, the number of people allowed to gather in public space was limited. These contact restrictions should now revert to Corona access points with an incidence value of more than 50: A maximum of ten people should be allowed to meet in public. If the measures do not stop the increase in the crown in ten days, a restriction should be applied to five people.
Private parties: Celebrations with family and friends have contributed significantly to the spread of the virus in recent weeks. The maximum number of guests should now be very limited: on corona hotspots with an incidence value of 35, only 15 participants should be allowed for celebrations in private rooms and 25 participants in public rooms. With an incidence value of 50, the maximum number in both cases is reduced to ten people, or members of two households.
Gastronomy: From an incidence value of 50, a mandatory curfew must be applied at 11 pm for restaurants. This also includes a “general prohibition of the consumption of alcohol”. If the incidence value is greater than 35, these measures are not mandatory, but they are recommended.
Accommodation prohibitions: Accommodation bans for tourists 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. Then, Bavaria will be the last federal state to end the fall holidays. Until then, the effectiveness of the measure must be verified.
