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In view of the dramatic development of the pandemic, Germany is shutting down public life and will again be in a national lockdown starting Wednesday. What applies where and for whom? An overview.
The partial lockdown is turning into a real lockdown: Germany will shut down public life on Wednesday, December 16. This affects almost every area of life, including shops, schools, and daycare centers. And it applies nationwide. First, the measures are limited to January 10, but an extension is possible. That depends on the infection process. These are the blocking rules at a glance:
contacts
As few contacts as possible – this remains, so to speak, “the mother of all crown rules.” Private meetings will be limited to your own home and one other home, but in any case to a maximum of five people. Children up to 14 years old are exempt from this. This restriction was also applied to the “Block Light”. However, by largely shutting down public life, the federal and state governments expect contacts to decline overall.
Christmas
More contacts will be possible from December 24 to 26. Then meetings with four people who go beyond their own home should be possible. However, this should be limited to the closest family circle: spouses, civil partners and partners in a cohabiting relationship, as well as heterosexual relatives, siblings, siblings and their respective household members. Also, there is a call to keep contacts to a minimum the week before.
New Year Eve
Exceptions previously announced for New Years Eve and New Years will be withdrawn. This means that normal contact restrictions apply during this time. The sale of pyrotechnics before New Year’s Eve is generally prohibited. We highly recommend not lighting fireworks. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day there is a national ban on attending and gathering, as well as a ban on fireworks in popular places, which are determined by municipalities.
retail trade
Retail will be closed from December 16 to January 10, initially. Exceptions Apply to businesses that cover daily needs. These include: supermarkets, weekly markets, pickup and delivery services, beverage markets, health food stores, baby stores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, drugstores, opticians, hearing aid acousticians, service stations, automobile workshops, car repair shops, bicycles, banks and savings banks, post offices, dry cleaners, laundries, newspaper sales, pet supplies, feed markets, Christmas tree sales and wholesalers.
Closed They are: Service companies in the field of body care such as hairdressing salons, aesthetic studios, massage practices, tattoo studios and similar businesses. Medically necessary treatments like physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as podiatry / foot care, are still possible.
Schools and kindergartens
The federal and state governments had long tried to keep schools and daycare centers open, despite the risk of infection. The dramatic development of the pandemic in Germany is now forcing a U-turn. According to the federal-state resolution, children must be cared for at home from Wednesday to January 10 “whenever possible. Schools must be closed in principle or compulsory attendance suspended. Emergency care will be guaranteed and education will be offered Distance Regulation Should also apply to kindergartens Parents should have the opportunity to take paid leave Special regulations may apply for graduation classes.
Workplace
In the first lockdown of the spring, many companies, such as VW, also closed. Even now, employers are being urgently asked to check whether businesses can close due to company holidays or generous home office solutions.
Gastronomy and alcohol
Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be closed. The delivery and collection of take-out meals for consumption at home by restaurants and the operation of canteens is still possible. However, on-site consumption is prohibited. It is also forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages in public places. Infractions are fined. With this, the federal and state governments want to avoid gatherings of people at the mulled wine stands.
Churches and worship services
Worship services in churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as meetings of other religious communities, are only allowed if the minimum distance of 1.5 meters can be maintained. It is mandatory to wear a mask in the square, it is forbidden to sing in congregations. If full occupancy is expected, visitors must register.
Retirement Homes and Care Services
“Special protective measures” must be taken. The federal government must provide medical protective masks and cover the costs of rapid tests. Staff at retirement and care centers must be tested several times a week. If possible, appropriate tests should also be performed with mobile care services. In regions with a high number of cases, home visitors must present current corona negative tests.
Hot spots
At all critical points from an incidence of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week, currently in most of Germany, additional restrictions must be applied, no later than from an incidence value of 200, the additional exit restrictions. Then that is decided by individual countries.
travel
There is a call to refrain from all non-essential travel before January 10, but these are not prohibited. Quarantine obligations are reaffirmed when returning from foreign risk areas.
Financial assistance
The companies affected by the blockade, the self-employed and the self-employed should continue to receive financial support from the federal government. The so-called bridge aid III, which provides grants for fixed costs, will be improved. A monthly subsidy of more than half a million euros is planned. Loss in value of property and other assets should be absorbed with the possibility of faster, non-bureaucratic partial depreciation.
So it goes
Merkel and the prime ministers want to consult again on January 5. Then it will be about what should apply from January 11.
