Corona: contacts, hotels, restaurants: the federal government wants to decide on a partial closure

Stand: 02:07 am | Reading time: 3 minutes

reIn view of the dramatically increasing number of corona infections, the federal government wants to allow only members of your own household and another household to remain in public throughout Germany. This is binding, violations of these contact restrictions would be sanctioned by the regulatory authorities, according to a draft of the federal resolution for the videoconference between Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with the prime minister of the federal states this Wednesday. Groups of people celebrating in public places, apartments and private facilities are unacceptable in view of the dire situation.

The goal of the federal and state governments is “to quickly disrupt the dynamics of infection so that far-reaching restrictions are not necessary during the holiday season.” “Families and friends should be able to get together during the Christmas season even in Corona conditions. This now requires a joint effort, as it did in the spring.” A long-range lockdown is expected to be in place for most of November .

Hotel closures

In addition, overnight stays by tourists in Germany will be prohibited for most of the month of November. Consequently, nightly deals should only be allowed for necessary purposes. The regulation must be applied from November 4 until the end of the month.

Bars and restaurants

Catering establishments such as bars, clubs, discos, pubs and similar establishments must be closed, with the exception of the delivery and collection of food for consumption at home. All measures should come into force in Germany from November 4 and apply until the end of the month.

Recreational facilities

Events that serve as entertainment should be banned throughout Germany for the entire period due to the Corona crisis. Theaters, operas and concert halls are supposed to close. The regulation also applies to leisure and amateur sports in and in all public and private sports facilities, swimming pools and amusement pools, as well as fitness studios and similar facilities. They should also close fairs, cinemas and amusement parks.

Schools, kindergartens and shops must remain open

However, schools and kindergartens must be kept open. States should introduce more protective measures in these areas, it says in the draft. Therefore, the retail trade must remain open as a whole, subject to hygiene, access control and queue avoidance.

Contact restrictions

In Germany, only members of your own household and members of another household should be able to stay together in public. This is binding; violations of these contact restrictions would be sanctioned by the regulatory authorities, according to the draft of the federal resolution. Groups of people celebrating in public places, in apartments and in private facilities are unacceptable in view of the dire situation.

Cosmetic studios, massage practices and tattoo studios

Due to the worsening crisis of the crown, the federal government wants to close businesses in the field of personal care, such as cosmetic studios, massage practices or tattoo studios for three and a half weeks in November. Hairdressing salons remain open under existing hygiene requirements. Medically necessary treatments, such as physical therapy, should also remain possible.

Industry, crafts and medium-sized companies

Faced with the restrictions, the federal government wants to extend aid to companies and improve the conditions of the economic sectors mainly affected, such as the cultural and events industry. In addition, the express loan of the state banking group KfW for companies with less than ten employees will be opened and adjusted.

Industry, commerce and midsize companies should be able to work safely and comprehensively, he said. Employers have a special responsibility to their employees to protect them from infection and identify chains of infection quickly. Home work should be possible whenever possible.

risk groups

Sick people, those in need of care, the elderly and the disabled must be particularly protected against the worsening Corona crisis. The available rapid corona tests “should now be used quickly and with priority in this area” so that safe contacts are possible.

The special protection of hospitals, nursing homes, facilities for the elderly and facilities for the disabled should not lead to complete social isolation. Unfortunately, the growing number of infections also led to an increase in infections in medical facilities and in these risk groups.