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Status: 13.12.2020 2:49 pm
The federal and state governments have decided to block the fight against Corona as of Wednesday. Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) said he regretted the move, but it was necessary.
The exponential growth forces us to act quickly, said Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) after Federal-state talks on Sunday. The tightening of the measures that has now been decided will affect the holidays. But: “We are obliged to act and we are acting now.” States agree that most stores, with the exception of stores for daily necessities, must remain closed until January 10.
Because: “He wants to save human lives”
Weil emphasized that he was sure that most people “get the step.” Regarding the upcoming Christmas party, the SPD politician said he regretted that the new rules further restrict the planning of many people. These decisions were not easy. “We are also aware of the special importance of Christmas for many families. But we agree that we should not risk increasing the number of infected people as a result of Christmas,” Weil said. Nursing staff and doctors, especially in intensive care units, are already working to the limit, and the number of people dying from or with the coronavirus every day is high. “We want to do everything possible to save lives,” the prime minister said.
Althusmann: “Hassle-free Distribution of Financial Aid”
Weil and his deputy, Economy Minister Bernd Althusmann (CDU), pledged more aid to the affected economy. “As Minister of Economy, the new closure hurts my soul. I know the special importance of December and the first weeks of January, especially for the retail sector, but I also know the number of infections and the associated effects on our health system” , so Althusmann. The federal government announced comprehensive aid for companies affected by the closure with around eleven billion euros. These should be made available to the economy quickly and easily. “As a country, we are doing our best to continue supporting companies and businesses,” said the Christian Democrat. “If we stay calm now, we can have a good outlook for spring.”
Resolutions at a glance
- Stay open: Food-Retail, weekly markets and direct grocery marketers, collection and delivery services, beverage markets, health food stores, pharmacies.
- Establishments that body-related services offer closed. This applies to hair salons, cosmetic studios, massage practices, and tattoo studios. However, the necessary treatments are still possible. Physical therapy, ergo, and speech therapy can be offered, as well as foot care.
- In Nursing Homes and Retirement Homes As well as for outpatient services, there will be mandatory tests. At the facility, staff and residents will be screened several times a week. In regions with a high incidence value, visitors should be able to show a new negative corona test result.
- Important contact restrictions apply to Kindergartens and schools. Children should “be cared for at home whenever possible.” Therefore, schools are being closed or compulsory attendance is suspended. The resolution provides for emergency care and distance learning.
- To the Christmas holidays A meeting with four people from the “closest family circle” and their children up to 14 years old is allowed. According to the newspaper, the closest family circle includes spouses and other civil partners, as well as direct relatives and members of their household. According to the resolution, a meeting in this group is also allowed if more than two households or five people over 14 years of age come together.
- Religious services in churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as in meetings of other religious communities, they are only allowed if the minimum distance of 1.5 meters can be maintained. It is also planned to wear a mask on the site, singing is prohibited. If full occupancy is expected, visitors must register.
- New Years Eve and New Years A national ban on assemblies and a ban on fireworks in public places will apply, which are determined by municipalities. The sale of pyrotechnics is generally prohibited this year. In public a Alcohol ban – also from December 16 to January 10. Infractions must be punished with a fine.
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Commerce fears crowds if it closes quickly
Althusmann and Weil had a video conference with trade representatives on Friday, including the general manager of the Lower Saxony-Bremen trade association, Mark Alexander Krack. He had spoken out against a harsh short-term blockade. This could generate large crowds in front of stores and in the city center. The longer the retail store stays open, the more uniform the events become. Krack asked for a long-term roadmap that traders could use as a guide. Althusmann also supported this. Prospects and a plan must be developed for the period starting in January, but the infection process must first be broken, the minister said.
AUDIO: Northern retail trade warns of lockdown (1 min)
Many Christmas shoppers on Saturday
Meanwhile, many people in Lower Saxony and Bremen have taken the opportunity to go shopping for Christmas due to discussions about closing business on Saturday. “Compared to the previous weeks, you can tell that more people have been there,” Krack said. But this should not hide the fact that sales before the third Advent of this year would be 40 to 50 percent lower than the previous year.
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Is there a threat of triage in clinics at Christmas?
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) received 321 more deaths and 20,200 new infections nationwide in one day. The peak was reached on Friday with 598 deaths and 29,875 reported cases. In Lower Saxony, the State Health Office (NLGA) reported 1,139 new infections on Sunday. Four other people died with or from the virus. Doctors warn of a dramatic situation in German hospitals at Christmas and the so-called triage, that is, the weighing of which patient can still be adequately treated in intensive care. According to the Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI), there will be an average of 30,000 new infections per day in the next two weeks and 420,000 people infected by Christmas. Since some of them show severe disease processes, it may no longer be possible for all appropriate intensive medical care. The virologist from Lower Saxony made a decision on how to do this Christian Drosten explained at an event in Emsland in early November.
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Crown in Lower Saxony – current reports
