Which stores are closing and with whom you can celebrate Christmas – politics



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The federal and state governments have significantly tightened measures to curb the number of corona infections on Sunday. As of Wednesday, most stores have to close, students must teach primarily at home, and Christmas can only be celebrated in close family circles. Measurements at a glance.

What stores remain active?

In general, when shopping, only the essentials are possible – daily supplies. Grocery stores, weekly markets, direct grocery vendors, pickup and delivery services, beverage markets, specialty baby stores, health food stores, drug stores, medical supply stores, drug stores, drug stores, Opticians and hearing aids, as well as wholesalers, remain open. Gas stations, car and bicycle workshops, banks, post offices, dry cleaners and laundries, as well as the sale of newspapers, remain open. Y: Christmas trees can also be sold. The haircut before the party, however, falls out. Due to physical proximity, hair salons, cosmetic studios, massage practices, and tattoo studios have to close. Medically necessary treatments are still allowed, for example in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy practices, as well as podiatry / foot care.

When do schools and day care centers close and is there emergency care?

Tough cuts are also planned in schools from December 16 to January 10. “During this time, children should be cared for at home whenever possible,” the resolutions say. Therefore, schools will be closed or compulsory attendance will be suspended during this period ”. The wording shows that countries can handle the exact rules differently. In any case, emergency care must be guaranteed and distance education must be offered. The same procedure should be used in daycare centers, he said. The federal and state governments want to create opportunities for parents to take paid leave. However, the details should only become clear in the next few days. Employers are asked to “check” whether company vacations or generous home office solutions are possible during the closing period.

What is still allowed at Christmas?

The celebration will only be possible in the closest family circle. From December 24 to 26, the following applies: Meetings with four people “outside your home” plus children up to the age of 14 are allowed. The closest family circle includes spouses or lifelong partners, direct relatives such as siblings, siblings, and their “household members,” even if that means more than two households or more than five people. The federal and state governments always recommend a kind of pre-Christmas quarantine at meetings. Five to seven days before family reunions, Germans should keep contacts to an absolute minimum.

Are religious services possible?

Yes, but only under strict rules: gatherings in churches, synagogues or mosques are only allowed if the minimum distance of 1.5 meters is guaranteed. Masks are compulsory in the square and singing by the congregation is prohibited. A registration procedure is mandatory for larger events with many people. In the coming days, the federal and state governments want to discuss the details of the requirements to “arrive at adequate regulations for religious gatherings.”

Will the New Year’s Eve fireworks be canceled this year?

Unlike the Netherlands, for example, there is no blanket ban on firecrackers in Germany. However, regulations should lead to this. Because, on the one hand, the federal government and the federal states advise against the use of fireworks, “also in the context of the high risk of injuries and the already enormous burden on the health system.” They also ban the sale of fireworks for New Years Eve. In addition, a national ban on gatherings on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve should apply.

How many people can meet at home in general?

Private meetings with friends, relatives, and acquaintances are still possible, but are limited to your own home and another home. A maximum of 5 people should meet. Children up to 14 years old do not count.

Are restaurants still allowed to deliver food?

Yes, it is still possible to collect or deliver food. However, what is new is a national ban on alcohol consumption in public places. This avoids, for example, the peddling of mulled wine. Violations must be penalized with fines.

Are nursing homes and nursing homes better protected?

For employees in nursing homes and nursing homes, as well as mobile care services, according to federal government plans, free medical protective masks and rapid antigen tests should become the rule. To this end, federal states should order “mandatory tests several times a week” for staff at senior care centers and mobile care teams, he says. At access points, visitors should also be required to present a current negative corona test.

Is the state helping businesses and retailers that have to close?

Yes, there will be substantial financial aid. But unlike the extraordinary help for freelance restaurants, event planners and soloists in November and December, which provide rebates of up to 75 percent of sales, the federal government helps dealers with fixed costs and tax depreciation. Fashion collections that can no longer be sold in January can be canceled immediately. This means that they are fully accounted for as losses at current prices, which significantly reduces the tax burden. In addition, there are generous grants of up to € 500,000 as bridging aid for fixed expenses such as rent.

How much will the new financial aid cost?

Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz puts the additional costs of the new closings at 11 billion euros a month. This money is in addition to the December aid that is already in force, which is estimated at about 20,000 million euros.

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