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To react to the growing number of infections, the federal and state governments agreed to extensive contact restrictions at the Corona summit. Chancellor Merkel warns of a “challenge of the century” regarding the pandemic.
In light of the growing number of corona infections, the federal and state governments agreed to “considerable restrictions” on contacts. This was announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel after more than eight hours of discussions with the 16 leaders of the countries in the Chancellery. An agreement could not be reached in the dispute over accommodation bans, the decision was postponed: This “is not yet fully satisfied,” Merkel said.
According to the resolution, appropriate countermeasures must be taken within a week if there are more than 35 infections per 100,000 inhabitants. Until now, the value of 50 was considered the critical limit. Consequently, when the number of infections increases or the 35 new infections are exceeded, a requirement for a supplemental mask should be introduced in public spaces. In addition, the federal and state governments recommend introducing a restaurant curfew, as well as additional requirements and controls.
Merkel: “It is a challenge of the century”
Furthermore, the number of participants in events should be further limited. “With an increasing number of infections and at the latest from an incidence of 35, a limit of 25 participants in the public and 15 participants in the private area must be applied,” says the joint decision of the federal and state governments. If the threshold of 50 new infections is exceeded, a new setting should be applied. Then, a maximum of ten people must be allowed to participate in the celebrations in public spaces. In the private room, the number of participants would be limited to ten people from a maximum of two households.
“What we do and do not do now will be decisive for the question of how to overcome this pandemic,” Merkel said. Germany was “already in the exponential phase” of the spread of the pandemic, he warned. This development should be prevented from continuing. “We are facing a challenge of the century,” Merkel said.
There is no agreement in case of accommodation ban
Merkel also addressed the dangers to the economy. “It is not just about the health system issue,” Merkel said. Economic development also depends on not being severely affected by the pandemic. “What is good for health also helps economic processes.” The Chancellor has indicated that this year 250,000 million euros of new debt should be contracted. Therefore, economically, Germany cannot afford a second wave like the one that took place in the spring. Every effort should be made to keep infection numbers under control and understand contacts. “And for that we have to reduce the numbers in some places,” Merkel said.
On the issue of accommodation bans, the upper group could not agree on a uniform regulation. Until the end of the fall break on November 8, the federal states should, as before, decide for themselves how to deal with the housing bans. This is “part of the decision that I am still not completely satisfied with,” Merkel said. “We have to keep working there.” However, the “urgent call” was issued to citizens to “refrain from unnecessary travel.” In November, a new attempt should be made to standardize the accommodation rules.
