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The partial lockdown slowed the second corona wave, but the number of infections remains high. That is why the federal states want to extend the measures, and also toughen some.
In view of the high number of infections, the federal states apparently want to extend existing crown restrictions until December 20 and, in some cases, tighten them. This was reported by the “Berliner Morgenpost” and the “Business Insider” portal on Friday, citing information from country circles. An extension of the Christmas break to January is also under discussion.
In the “Berliner Morgenpost” it was said, citing coalition circles of the city-state, that a broad consensus was emerging among federal states on the extension of the restrictions initially planned for November until shortly before Christmas. Restaurants, cultural and leisure facilities are likely to remain closed. Stores, on the other hand, should obviously be able to open during the Christmas business that is important to them.
Here there is the threat of tougher measures
“Business Insider” said at the same time that the federal states were in favor of expanding the obligation to use oral and nasal protection. The upper limits for celebrations and gatherings in public and private spaces should also be lowered further. Regarding schools, they are considering extending the Christmas holidays nationwide by one week until January 10, if the contagion rate requires it. In contrast, the federal states continue to oppose the halving of school classes, as the Chancellery suggested last week.
The Foreign Minister insisted on Friday that the high rates of infection among adolescents and young adults must be reduced. “They contribute significantly to the spread of the infection,” Braun told the Germany publishing network (RND). Especially in secondary schools, “you have to do everything possible to maintain the rules of distance.” The federal and state governments would discuss this on Wednesday.
“What we decided for November broke the dynamics of the infection. But it has not yet caused the numbers to drop,” Braun told the German publishing network (RND). The director of the chancery suggested teaching older students more at home and looking for large classrooms outside the school premises. If schools do not have larger rooms, it is also conceivable, according to the head of the Chancellery, “to switch to town houses and cinemas.” Older students could be sent to homeschool.
Seibert: With over 200 deaths a day, I shouldn’t “take a minute”
The federal government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, reiterated the seriousness of the situation. Since the current restrictions took effect on Nov. 2, the number of new infections has stabilized, “but the numbers are too high,” he said on Friday. The number of deaths from the new corona virus is also too high, it is about “200, 250 people every day who lose their lives due to this disease.” One should “not take a minute” with that.
After the federal states reacted angrily to the uncoordinated proposals of the Chancellery last Monday, this time they want to develop their own concept. A new high-level meeting is scheduled for Wednesday between the prime ministers and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). It remains to be seen whether decisions will be made for the holiday season itself and the turn of the year.
Seibert simply said it was “no secret” that the federal government had “wanted more” in the most recent talks earlier this week. Preparations for the next federal-state round were “intense.” It will also be about “how we see Christmas and then New Year’s Eve as well.” The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced a new record Friday morning: 23,648 new infections were reported in one day.
