display

Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann intends to gradually reopen primary schools and daycare centers in the state from February 1st.

He is striving to carefully reopen daycare centers and elementary schools "if the infection situation allows," said the Green politician after the federal-state meeting on the corona crisis.

The final decision will be made in the coming week.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) justified the obligation to wear medical masks in shops and in local transport, which was decided at the Corona summit, with the risk of the mutation of the corona virus.

"If the virus becomes more dangerous, the mask has to get better," said Söder on Tuesday evening in Berlin.

The increased mask requirement is therefore "a good signal" and "absolutely necessary".

Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller sees the mutation of the coronavirus as a new challenge for the fight against the pandemic.

If the new variant is twice as contagious, efforts to contain it would have to be doubled, said the SPD politician.

The federal and state governments have agreed on these measures

display

Contacts:

Furthermore, meetings outside of your own household are only allowed with one other person.

It is advised to keep the number of households involved as constant and small as possible.

Masks:

Better protective masks should be mandatory in public transport and in shops.

These can be surgical masks, FFP2 masks or KN95 masks, which have a comparable standard.

Everyday masks made of fabric are no longer enough.

Daycare centers and schools:

Daycare centers and schools will remain closed until February 14th or the compulsory attendance will be suspended.

display

Retirement and nursing homes:

The staff must wear an FFP2 mask when they come into contact with residents.

Bundeswehr soldiers and volunteers are to step in so that visitors and staff can do quick tests several times a week.

There should also be enough tests in facilities for people with disabilities.

Church services:

Church services are allowed if the minimum distance of 1.5 meters is maintained.

A mask with a higher protection standard is compulsory, singing is prohibited.

Meetings with more than ten participants must generally be reported to the regulatory office at least two working days in advance.

Work and home office:

employers must enable work from home wherever possible.

The Federal Ministry of Labor is to issue a corresponding ordinance for a limited period by March 15.

display

Tax incentives for computers:

Anyone who purchases “certain digital assets” should be able to fully deduct them from the tax in the year of purchase - retrospectively from January 1st.

It is about "computer hardware and software for data entry and processing".

Hotspots:

In countries and districts where a particularly high number of people are infected in relation to the number of inhabitants, tougher measures should take effect if necessary.

There, too, there should be a realistic chance of reaching the goal of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days (7-day incidence) by mid-February.

Vaccinations:

All residents of nursing homes who want this should be

vaccinated

by mid-February at the latest.

Almost half have already been vaccinated according to the decision.

The federal government wants to try to give the federal states reliable vaccine delivery times for the next six weeks.

Virus mutations:

According to a regulation that has been in force since Tuesday, the circulating variants of the coronavirus should be more closely examined for the exact virus type (sequencing).

The federal government should present the first results by the beginning of February.

The background is fears about the spread of new virus variants, such as in Great Britain or Ireland, which could be significantly more contagious.

Health authorities:

Students are to be recruited and trained to follow up contacts in health authorities for the semester break from mid-February to mid-April.

The aim is to ensure contact follow-up at least up to an incidence of 50.

Corona aid:

Access to government support for companies and self-employed people is to become easier, and aid is to be expanded.

The obligation to file for insolvency will be suspended until the end of April for companies that are entitled to auxiliary payments and have submitted a promising application in good time.

Next steps: The

federal and state governments want to develop a concept for a “safe and fair opening strategy” by mid-February.

The following also applies:

The retail trade will remain closed.

Exceptions apply to shops that cover daily needs.

Hairdressers, massage practices and cosmetic studios are also closed.

Alcohol consumption in public places remains prohibited.