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In view of the high Corona numbers in Bavaria, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) is thinking of stricter rules for New Year’s Eve. If the numbers stay that way for the next ten days, the number of contacts allowed on New Year’s Eve should be reduced, says Söder when he visits the Corona Passau hotspot. Holidays shouldn’t be a risk.
Until now, according to a decision by the Bavarian cabinet, the strict contact restrictions will be relaxed no later than December 23 to January 1. Gatherings of up to ten people from various households (plus associated children under 14 years of age) should then be allowed. Some federal states have already announced that they will limit this relaxation to the period from December 23 to 27. Berlin does not want to relax at all.
Söder: Evaluating New Year’s Eve differently from Christmas
Söder said he was “relatively convinced” that easing “wouldn’t take a week” in Bavaria either. Christmas is the family holiday and a “special case”. New Year’s Eve should be evaluated differently. “We will certainly talk about it again.”
Since December 1, a maximum of five people from two households, plus their children, have been allowed to meet. On Wednesday evening, prime ministers of state and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) agreed to extend the partial shutdown beyond December 20 to January 10. In addition to contact restrictions, the measures include the closure of cultural and leisure facilities, hotels and restaurants.
Söder: “It’s not enough”
Söder emphasized again that Corona was keeping Germany and Bavaria in check. The partial lockdown has so far only brought partial success, exponential growth has stopped. “It is not enough,” complained the prime minister. “Totals are not going to go down.” The numbers have skyrocketed at individual access points.
The numbers would have to fall below a seven-day incidence of 50, Söder said. In addition to extending the partial lockdown, Germany had to think about “whether there is still a need for significant improvements in some areas.” The CSU chief warned: “We need more consistent measures to achieve a downward turn, which is very important.”
Prime Minister learns of the situation in Corona’s hotspots
Söder visited Passau to learn about the situation at the crown’s critical points in eastern Lower Bavaria. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), it is one of the regions most affected by the pandemic in Germany. The city of Passau has an incidence value of 458 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days (as of December 3, midnight). The Regen district is also above the 400 mark with a value of 451, values above 300 are reported for the Passau district (354) and the Freyung-Grafenau district (338).
Through his visit, he also wanted to provide assistance, Söder said after meeting with district administrators and Passau Mayor Jürgen Dupper (SPD). “In these difficult times, it is important that we all stand together and take responsibility together.”
New rules planned for the border area
The state government will also “pay close attention to the border area” to the prime minister. You can see very clearly that there are entries: “joint visits to the school, shopping, commuting and much more.” Borders should be kept open, but it will be reconsidered, also in consultation with Austria and the Czech Republic, “how we can achieve a little more stability in small border traffic”. There must also be an opportunity for travelers to be safer.
The Bavarian Administrative Court had lifted the obligation to conduct weekly tests in Bavaria for cross-border travelers. “We are considering alternatives that may be similarly effective and that will help us at this time,” Söder announced.
