#15,621
Although the ECDC reported today that some European nations were seeing a stabilization in COVID Cases (see below) - and some may have even peaked - the same cannot be said of Germany, which continues to see a rise in cases.
Earlier today, the German government announced much stronger restrictions will go into place starting on Wednesday - and continue until at least Jan 10th - in an attempt to curb the growth of the pandemic.
The following (translated) synopsis of these new lock down rules was posted on the German Federal Government website.
Chancellor on the federal-state resolution"We are forced to act"
The measures that have been taken so far to contain the corona pandemic are not enough. The numbers keep increasing. Chancellor Merkel stated this after talking to the heads of government of the federal states. According to the decision of the federal and state governments, contact restrictions remain in place, the retail trade will be closed with a few exceptions, schools and daycare centers should also close. The regulations at a glance.
The goal is still to make contact tracking possible again and to achieve an incidence of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days. "That is why we are now forced to act - and we act," stressed Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday after consultations with the federal and state governments. Further measures would now have to be taken to restrict contacts in order to significantly reduce the number of new infections. The federal and state governments made a new decision on this in PDF, 90 KB
Chancellor Merkel thanked everyone in Germany for abiding by the rules in large numbers and for helping to contain the pandemic. The Chancellor urged everyone to "refrain in the next few days from contacts that are not absolutely necessary and thus to make a contribution that our health system is not overwhelmed". The Chancellor sent special thanks to the people who work in the health system. For them this will be a very difficult Christmas and that is why "our resolutions are urgently needed to support them in particular and to give people more health security".
There is an urgent need for action
The Federal Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states have decided among others:
- The existing resolutions will remain in effect until January 10, 2021 .
- Private get-togethers with friends, relatives and acquaintances are still to be limited to your own household and one other household, but in any case to a maximum of 5 people . Children up to 14 years of age are exempt from this.
- The following applies to the Christmas days: Depending on their respective infection rate, the federal states can from December 24th to December 26th, 2020 as an exception to the otherwise applicable contact restrictions, meet 4 people from the closest family members who go beyond their own household plus children up to the age of 14 Allow years, even if this means more than two households or 5 people over 14 years.
- On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day , a nationwide ban on gathering and gathering is implemented. In addition, there is a ban on fireworks in public places. The sale of pyrotechnics before New Year's Eve is generally prohibited this year and the lighting of New Year's Eve fireworks is strongly advised against, also against the background of the high risk of injury and the enormous burden on the health system.
- The retail trade will be closed from December 16, 2020 to January 10, 2021. The food trade and the trade in urgently needed everyday goods are excluded.
- Service companies such as hairdressing salons are closed because physical proximity cannot be avoided here. Medically necessary treatments such as physiotherapy remain possible.
- Contacts at schools are also to be significantly restricted between December 16, 2020 and January 10, 2021. During this time, children should be cared for at home whenever possible. For this reason, the schools are generally closed or compulsory attendance is suspended during this period. Emergency care is ensured and distance learning is offered. The same procedure is used in day-care centers . There are additional opportunities for parents to take paid leave for childcare.
- Employers are urged to consider whether the premises used by either closing or generous home office - solutions from December 16, 2020 can be closed by 10 January 2021st
- The delivery and collection of take-away meals for consumption at home by restaurants remains possible. Consumption on site is prohibited. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited from December 16 to January 10. Violations are fined.
- Church services in churches, synagogues and mosques as well as meetings of other religious communities are only possible under certain conditions. The Federal Ministry of the Interior will hold talks with the religious communities.
- In nursing homes and mobile care services, special protective measures must be taken. Regular mandatory tests must be carried out for the personnel.
- The federal and state governments urge all citizens to refrain from travel to Germany and abroad that is not absolutely necessary in the period up to 10 January .
- Sectors of the economy that are particularly affected by the restrictions will continue to receive financial support.
Sunday 13th December 2020
