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At the Chancellery, the country’s draft for the “Crown winter calendar” is generally approved, even if Merkel wants to make her own suggestions tomorrow. The FDP, for its part, calls for the easing measures to be taken into account.
After some comings and goings, the federal states agreed on a “Crown winter calendar”, that is, measures to be decided on Wednesday at the meeting with the chancellor. To get the pandemic back under control, an extension of the partial closure until at least December 20, a tightening of contact restrictions and more requirements for schools and kindergartens is expected. In return, there should be a relaxation during the Christmas period.
The chancellor, at the failed meeting on November 16, Angela Merkel was still visibly dissatisfied, signaling her approval of the countries plan. However, he also announced his own proposals to reduce contact. In some areas, for example, where there is a particularly high incidence of infections, she believes that specific measures are again necessary, Merkel told a virtual meeting of the Union parliamentary group.
According to information from negotiating circles, the federal government proposes to move the start of the Christmas holidays not to December 19, but to December 16. This should provide more security for family gatherings expected at Christmas. In mid-December, the federal and state governments should coordinate again.
In addition, the federal government would like a clearer formulation of additional requirements for schools, for example, with respect to part-time home teaching. At the same time, Merkel is said to have tempered optimism that there may soon be openings in the cultural sector. If the number of infections remains at the current high level, countries’ hopes may not be kept.
Söder doesn’t go far enough, Schleswig-Holstein eludes
And not only does the Chancellor announce improvements in the country’s commitment, the prime ministers apparently do not entirely agree either. According to Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder, the measures are not enough: “I think improvements are still needed in some areas,” Söder said. He was convinced that even after December 20 – until then the partial blockade should apply in any case – “everything will not be opened” immediately. “It’s very clear to me that, of course, this will continue later,” said the CSU chief.
Schleswig-Holstein, on the other hand, the state has comparatively few corona cases, does not want to support tightening the contact restrictions to five people from two households and leaving the upper limit at ten contacts.
Strong criticism of the FDP and trade
Criticism of the countries’ “Corona winter calendar” comes from the opposition and the restaurant industry: FDP chief Christian Lindner complained again that the concept falls short. Relaxation should also be taken into account during deliberations. Those politically responsible would have to make clear “under what conditions can public, cultural and economic life take place again,” Lindner said. A “stop” must “be requested very quickly”. However, rebooting requires a timeout.
Lindner cited gastronomy as an example of possible loosening. With proper hygiene concepts, it is quite possible to “bring life back to life”. Lindner can be sure to receive applause from the industry. The Dehoga industry association harshly criticized the extension of the partial blockade. “It’s a disaster that Christmas business can’t take place this year,” said Dehoga CEO Ingrid Hartges. In this case, the industry needs more financial support. “The reserves have been depleted,” Hartges said.
