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meIn Saxony there is now a strict lockdown: two days before public life is drastically closed across the country. In addition to most shops, kindergartens, schools and after-school care centers will also be closed from Monday morning; as in spring, there is emergency care for children of parents in systemically important professions.
The country had already taken the new protection measures on Friday night, two days before the national shutdown was decided on Sunday.
The reasons are, regardless of whether in the state or across the country, the number of crown drastically increased, the risk of losing control. Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said on RTL “Aktuell” on Sunday: “Actually, it is a natural disaster that we are facing. It’s like when Vesuvius erupts. He can only see that he’s getting safe, and that’s what we do. “
The number of new corona virus infections remains at a high level, even as German health authorities reported comparatively few new corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) at the beginning of the week. 16,362 new cases were transmitted in one day, as announced by the RKI on Monday morning. That’s about 4,000 more cases than last Monday.
The previous record was reached on Friday with 29,875 reported cases.
Lockdown: Helge Braun has little hope of easing
Chancellery chief Helge Braun gives little hope of a far-reaching easing of the crown’s measures early in the new year. I had the “great hope” that the numbers would fall, but: “I think that a comprehensive easing is very, very unlikely. January and February are always particularly difficult months when it comes to respiratory infections, ”he says on RTL / ntv’s“ Frühstart ”program. As long as we are in the “winter phase” and there are not enough vaccines available for everyone, “we will still have difficult days.”
Helge Braun
Source: via Reuters
But he promised that schools and nurseries would be the first to reopen after the closure ended. “We always said that. It’s the last thing we close and the first thing we open ”. Education is a priority and will continue to be.
Federal Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) asked citizens to refrain from buying Christmas gifts on Monday and Tuesday due to the risk of infection. “I wish and hope that people only get what they really need in terms of food,” he said Sunday night at the “Bild” political talk. It is about the health of many. “The sooner we get these infections under control, the better it will be for everyone.”
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) expressly left the end date of the shutdown open. He said: “No one can promise if January 10 will be the final date, that will depend a lot on all of us,” but personally he does not believe “that everything will end on January 10.”
The opposition also gave its approval to the measures, but would like more long-term planning for the post-shutdown period, which should now end on January 10. The leader of the green parliamentary group Anton Hofreiter told the “Rheinische Post”: “For the next few months we need planned action and a long-term perspective. I hope that in January we will finally pass a law with a nationwide binding phased plan that makes clear when and where the measures are applied “.
“What will be the long-term sustainable strategy?” Asks Lindner.
FDP chief Christian Lindner said Sunday night in a ZDF “Spezial”: “We have to look ahead and ask ourselves what the sustainable strategy will be.” In view of its consequences, the emergency brake could not be imposed until March. Lindner again campaigned to better protect at-risk groups.
Hamburg virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit said Sunday evening at an ARD “Extra”: “Of course, a lockdown is not a sustainable strategy, so the question arises how we can return children to schools in safe way”. The tests played a crucial role. “We just need the staff and of course the corresponding tests that can then be used there – these are important points to work hard on,” said Schmidt-Chanasit. The development of a long-term strategy must begin immediately.
To break the wave, stores across the country must close as of Wednesday, the exceptions being grocery stores, drug stores and other stores for daily necessities. Body care services like hair salons and cosmetic studios will also be closed. Medically necessary treatments, such as physical therapy, are still possible.
Shopping in the centers will almost come to a halt, said the executive director of the German Association of Cities, Helmut Dedy, of the German press agency. “The restrictions on gastronomy, hotels, sports and culture were already painful and continue. But now there is no alternative to reducing contacts. Better times will come. We will not let Corona destroy our urban centers. “
Politicians warned against a race on shopping streets on Monday and Tuesday, the last two days with stores open. Corona infection numbers are now so high that “we have to immediately cut back on contacts,” Foreign Minister Helge Braun said Sunday night at ARD. The remaining two days, the Monday and Tuesday before closing, should not be used in such a way that they become overcrowded in city centers.
From December 16 to January 10, contacts in schools will also be significantly restricted. Therefore, schools are generally closed during this period or compulsory attendance is suspended. Emergency care is guaranteed and distance education is offered.
Crown Rules: Exceptions for Christmas
A maximum of five family members, friends or acquaintances from a maximum of two households can still meet privately. Children up to 14 years old are excluded. Exceptions should be allowed for Christmas, depending on the infection rate.
Looking ahead to the holidays and New Year’s Eve, Düsseldorf virologist Jörg Timm warned of an increase in corona cases: “I hope that people will largely give up private celebrations and family visits during the Christmas period. With the current infection figures, a drastic increase in Covid-19 cases is expected in the new year, which will pose huge problems for us, “said the doctor from the” Rheinische Post “in Düsseldorf.
