Corona Summit: Longer Lockdown: Exceptions for Schools?

The crown lockdown can last until March 14, but schools will be able to open before then. The “Wuschelkopf” could also come out earlier, because exceptions for hairdressers are also being discussed. In the afternoon, the federal and state governments argue.

Now it’s almost a good tradition for intermediate results to leak out before federal-state talks on the status of the crown. They often give a hint as to which way it might go. It is the same today. It has been quite clear for days that the lockdown will be extended. But not for how long.

The chancellery around Angela Merkel came out more or less publicly against easing in February, especially with a view to highly contagious new variants of the virus. It was circulated on March 1 as the date, but an extension to March 14 is now being discussed. This comes from a draft that is apparently agreed between the Chancellery, the State of Berlin and Bavaria.

Consequently, the current contact restrictions and also store closures will be extended until mid-March. At the same time, exceptions are made in the education sector and for hairdressers, for example. “It is a matter of concern for many citizens that the Wuschelkopf is coming out again,” said Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig.

Countries want an exit perspective

Chancellor Merkel spoke to the CDU / CSU parliamentary group on Tuesday about extending the lockdown until the end of February. On the other hand, some countries are pushing for cautious easing or at least an exit perspective. The proposal for a longer closure is now combined with major opening steps for schools and daycare centers. According to the draft, countries are free to decide for themselves according to their respective infection status. “Within the framework of their cultural sovereignty, the federal states decide to gradually return to face-to-face teaching and the expansion of nursery services,” says the draft.

Some countries had previously announced that they would definitely reopen primary schools starting next week. The Chancellery cannot speak of “power” here, Merkel can only appeal. The topic of opening schools has always been a contentious topic in talks between the federal government and the state, and longer debates are expected here today. With a uniform line at the national level, the Chancellor and the 16 Prime Ministers never escaped the talks.

The draft also states that districts that do not fall below an incidence of 50 may impose additional crown restrictions. “The draft could be a real compromise: because countries like Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein or Lower Saxony had already said beforehand that they would definitely implement opening steps in schools,” Reuters news agency quoted a deal maker.

What will happen to the step-by-step plans?

It is unclear whether the federal and state governments will agree on a step-by-step plan on general additional opening steps, which were intensively discussed in the lead-up to deliberations. Several states had submitted their own proposals for a phased plan, including Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Thuringia. Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil saw a national variant of such an exit scenario, which could, for example, prescribe a certain opening step for a certain incidence. daily topics but no. At least not today. “But we definitely have to have this discussion between us.” Many citizens would rightly wonder how things should go now.

“What is needed is a uniform framework for the whole of Germany,” Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow added in ZDF. People need a perspective. ”

Two options for smoothing

The Foreign Ministry’s presentation mentions two options: The first option establishes that the federal and state governments decide on the additional opening steps on March 10.

The second option is for the federal and state governments to agree that the next opening step should take place automatically if there is a “stable seven-day incidence throughout Germany of at most 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants.” This next opening step should include “the opening of retail with a limit of one customer per 20 square meters, the opening of museums and galleries, as well as the opening of still closed body-friendly service companies.”

The opening of hairdressers on March 1 is justified by the “importance of hairdressers for personal hygiene.” However, establishments can only open with “hygiene requirements, access control with reservations and the use of medical masks.”

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz tried to find a compromise line on Tuesday night with Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder and Berlin Mayor Michael Müller. The 16 prime ministers want to meet at 11 am Starting at 2 pm there will be the exchange with the Chancellor. Open end.