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Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier (CDU) believes the opening of outdoor restaurants in Germany around Easter is possible.

Altmaier said that on Friday in Berlin after discussions with his ministerial colleagues from the countries via video.

The requirement is compliance with hygiene regulations.

The availability of quick tests could make opening the outdoor restaurant even safer.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Economics, Andreas Pinkwart (FDP), spoke out in favor of a change in strategy in the fight against corona, "which will lead to openings in March".

Altmaier said with a view to the procedure in the Corona crisis that he did not want to speak of a paradigm shift.

However, the strategy must be adapted and further developed.

It's about a perspective that encourages you.

The significant decrease in the number of new infections has come to a standstill.

Experts discussed whether and to what extent a new wave of infections was on the way.

On the other hand, it is quite clear that "we can afford to continue unchanged lockdown measures less and less".

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Altmaier went on to say: “It's about the substance of our economy.” Many companies have now been closed for a total of six months within twelve months.

It's about perspective and predictability.

Health protection and careful but consistent openings would have to be combined.

The call for an end to the lockdown has recently become louder and louder, especially in retail and catering.

More than 40 business associations had sent opening concepts to Altmaier.

The week-long lockdown with the closure of restaurants and many retail stores was recently extended by the federal and state governments to March 7th.

Merkel and the prime ministers of the federal states will discuss how to proceed next Wednesday.

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NRW Economics Minister Pinkwart said there are now alternatives to lockdown: "Instead of reducing the number of contacts across the board, we can use tests to develop leeway for the economically and socially necessary openings." However, a national test strategy and comprehensive, effective traceability are urgently needed for this .

Pinkwart is chairman of the conference of economics ministers.

In combination with the detection of tests, vaccinations and survived illnesses via apps, the tests enabled cross-sector openings in retail, cultural and leisure facilities and in the catering and hotel industry, said Pinkwart.

The health authorities' enhanced digital capabilities, which have significantly improved their tracking tools over the past few weeks, also opened up additional scope.

The Federal Ministry of Economics fears long-term consequences in Germany

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In a “basis for discussion” by the Federal Ministry of Economics for the consultations with the state ministers, reference is made to the serious economic consequences of the week-long lockdown.

The long duration of the current lockdown has considerable effects on the companies affected and in some cases leads to a “drastic deterioration in their economic situation”, according to the paper that was available to the German press agency.

It goes on to say: "In many cases this leads to a threat to their economic existence and the risk of a long-term loss of substance to the German economy: the result would be job losses, bankruptcies, fewer apprenticeships, a declining number of start-ups and a loss of attractiveness in many inner cities."

For these reasons, all participating associations considered a “clear and predictable perspective” to open up closed companies to be necessary.

All those involved agree that the availability of a sufficient number of rapid antigen tests or self-tests can make a decisive contribution to enabling openings.

According to the paper, several associations expressly point out that outdoor activities in good weather are generally associated with a significantly lower risk of infection.

"This results in opening perspectives for catering establishments with outdoor areas."

From the point of view of business, it is desirable that the federal and state governments jointly define nationwide criteria under which openings are possible, the paper says.

“This is the only way to prevent the creation of a patchwork of different strategies and procedures.

Otherwise there would be considerable frictional losses and uncertainties to be feared. "