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The federal and state governments are tightening the crown’s measures: a strict lockdown will take effect on Wednesday. Retail will be closed with exceptions. Schools and kindergartens are also affected. Businesses can apply for help.
Next Wednesday, public life in Germany will be drastically closed. Retail, with the exception of stores for daily necessities, must close by January 10. This was announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel after consulting with the prime minister.
The partial lockdown that has been in place since early November “was not enough,” Merkel said. The exponential growth of new corona infections could stop for a while. But then there was a “lateral movement”, and for a few days there has been exponential growth again. The goal has always been to avoid overloading the healthcare system, Merkel said. “We are obliged to act and we are acting now.”
Hairdressers cannot open from Wednesday either. In addition to grocery stores and weekly grocery markets, health food stores, baby stores, pharmacies, drugstores, gas stations, auto shops, bike shops, banks, and savings banks are exempt from closing of business.
Special rules for Christmas
Under the resolution, the strict rules for private contacts, a maximum of five people from a maximum of two households, will relax for Christmas. From December 24 to 26, gatherings are allowed with four people from the closest family circle that go beyond their own home, plus children up to 14 years of age – “even if this means more than two households or 5 people over 14 years old “. Services should be possible, but with clear rules of distance.
A national ban on gatherings on New Years Eve and New Years will apply. Also, the sale of fireworks before New Year’s Eve is generally prohibited.
Children must stay home for three and a half weeks.
Schoolchildren and kindergarten children should be cared for at home whenever possible during the first three and a half weeks starting on Wednesday. Exceptions are possible. In some federal states, these rules apply as of Monday. According to the decision document, schools should be “closed in principle” or compulsory attendance, which means home teaching, will be suspended. The same procedure is used in nurseries. As in spring, there should be emergency care. Exceptions for graduation classes should be possible in schools. There is also talk of extra vacations: “There are additional opportunities for parents to take paid vacations to care for their children during the mentioned period.”
The agreement period largely coincides with the Christmas holidays. By the end of next week, at the latest, school or face-to-face classes will be over almost everywhere in Germany for the time being.
The federal government increases financial aid for businesses
In view of the harsh blockade, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz announced “very comprehensive bridging aid” for the affected companies. For companies affected by the closure, there will be up to 500,000 euros a month, he said. The maximum limit of the so-called bridge aid III had previously been 200,000 euros.
The finance minister said it would cost a little more than 11 billion euros a month. The federal government “will support all who need help, assistance and support.” As examples, he cited help with fixed costs, tax breaks, and write-offs for goods that are now not being sold. “The virus is not on vacation,” Scholz said. “The virus does not celebrate a silent Christmas.” Therefore, the measures are now necessary.
Curfew in bavaria
Prime Minister Markus Söder has already announced additional measures for Bavaria. Consequently, there should be strict night-out restrictions throughout the Free State. So far, a 9:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew has been implemented at critical points with an incidence of more than 200; given that the country is now above this value in general, it will now be done “for all of Bavaria”, said the head of CSU. In that case, staying in the public space is only allowed for a few valid reasons.
All schools and daycare centers in the state will also be closed starting Wednesday. Söder spoke of a “clear regulation”. Then there will be options for distance education and emergency care, parents should be able to take paid leave.
