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Economists consider the economic consequences of restricting the range of motion to 15 kilometers in areas with particularly high numbers of infections to be manageable.
"If professional mobility remains possible, the additional economic costs should be kept within limits," Gabriel Felbermayr, President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) told WELT.
Tourism, gastronomy, shopping trips are not possible anyway.
Michael Hüther, Director of the Institute for the German Economy (IW), sees it similarly.
From his point of view, it is also crucial that “the trip to the production site remains possible”.
The federal government and the federal states want to tighten the freedom of movement in corona hotspots: In districts with a seven-day incidence of over 200 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, the federal states will take local measures "to limit the radius of movement to 15 km around the place of residence, unless there is a valid reason is available ”, as it was said before the end of the federal-state talks.
Day trips are "explicitly" not a valid reason in this regard.
In addition, the lockdown will be extended until the end of January.
The chairman of the economy, Lars Feld, assumes that the lockdown extension will cause the economy to "weaken further and overall economic growth will be less strong this year" than was forecast in the autumn by the council of experts for the assessment of macroeconomic development.
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"Nevertheless, there may be an upswing in spring that can keep GDP growth in 2021 at a good three percent," said Feld.
In terms of financial policy, Germany is in a good position despite the extended restrictions and still has a lot of leeway.
"Overall, the German economy is well positioned so that it can get through such a severe crisis well," said Feld.
"That does not mean that all companies will survive this - despite all state aid."
Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo Institute, sees it similarly.
The extension is painful for the industries affected, especially retail and catering.
But it should not be overlooked that large parts of the economy, especially those in the manufacturing sector, remained open.
"As long as this is maintained, the economic effects are not so severe that one has to fear a sharp collapse in economic activity."
From Huether's point of view, the development can have very different distribution consequences depending on the industry.
"High-wage jobs in industry are largely stable, while lower-skilled jobs - retail, hotels, restaurants, events - are particularly affected," he said.
With a view to long-term damage from closures and bankruptcies, it is therefore clear to Hüther: "A further extension of the lockdown beyond January must absolutely be avoided."
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Like Hüther, Fuest also sees rapid vaccinations as the decisive factor for success.
If necessary, Germany would be able to hold out the lockdown even longer.
"The aid for the closed companies and their employees can be financed, if necessary until spring," he said.
However, it is clear that these loans will have to be serviced in the future.
"In this respect, it is important that the help is as targeted as possible, that there is as little overcompensation as possible."
The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) is already looking ahead.
"If the infection numbers are effectively reduced, a strong recovery is possible in the spring," said Claus Michelsen, economic director of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW).
However, this could not prevent a sharp increase in company closings.
"Small and medium-sized companies in the service sectors and in retail are likely to be particularly affected," said Michelsen.
Their equity base was already thin before the crisis and is now likely to have largely been used up.
IfW President Gabriel Felbermayr identifies some winners as well as losers.
"Manufacturing and construction are doing pretty well so far," he said.
For example, tax consultants and pure online companies have boom times.
"The bonanza continues for them."