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Berlin (dpa) - The coronavirus infection numbers are climbing.
In their new resolutions, the federal and state governments are warning of an overload of the health system in April.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Ministers urge citizens to «limit all contacts to the absolutely necessary minimum and, in particular, to avoid indoor meetings».
Unless otherwise agreed, the previous requirements continue to apply.
The federal states should incorporate innovations into their ordinances by March 29th; they will apply until April 18th.
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EMERGENCY BRAKE: The federal and state governments emphasize that it is necessary to consistently apply the “emergency brake” agreed at the beginning of March.
It should take effect if the 7-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in a country or region is over 100 new infections on three consecutive days.
Then the restrictions that were in effect until March 7th will apply again from the second following working day.
Further openings should only be made if the 7-day incidence is below 100 and stable or decreases.
INCIDENCE OVER 100: In counties where the 7-day incidence is over 100, tougher measures apply.
These can look like this:
- Obligation to wear better protective masks in the car for passengers who are not part of the driver's household
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- Expansion of a quick test obligation to areas where distance rules and consistent wearing of a mask are difficult
- Exit restrictions
- stricter contact restrictions
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CONTACTS: A maximum of five people from two households are allowed to meet.
Couples should generally count as one household.
Children up to 14 years count extra.
According to the current decision, this also applies to Easter from April 1st to 5th.
The emergency brake, which continues to apply, is not mentioned in this section.
This provides for regions or countries with a 7-day incidence of over 100: Only one household and one additional person may meet, with the exception of children up to 14 years of age.
EASTER: From April 1st (Maundy Thursday) to April 5th (Easter Monday), gatherings in public spaces are prohibited.
Open outdoor restaurants will be closed.
Shops must also remain closed, only “food retailers in the narrow sense” are allowed to open on Holy Saturday (April 3rd).
Religious communities are asked to only hold virtual church services during this time.
Vaccination and testing centers will remain open.
Any opening steps according to the schedule agreed on March 3rd should take effect on April 6th at the earliest.
VACCINE PROTECTION: The Robert Koch Institute is to present a report by the next federal-state round on April 12th as to the point in time from which vaccinated persons “are not infectious with sufficient certainty that inclusion in test concepts may become obsolete”.
QUICK AND SELF-TESTS: As soon as possible, employees in schools and daycare centers as well as schoolchildren should be tested twice a week.
OPENING IN MODEL PROJECTS: In «temporary model projects», the federal states are allowed to try out in selected regions how areas of public life can be opened «with strict protective measures and a test concept».
WORKPLACE: Employers should continue to enable their employees to work from home.
If that doesn't work, they should offer regular tests, "at least once and, if available, twice a week".
At the beginning of April, the economic reports should report how many companies are participating.
The federal government then wants to examine possible stricter occupational safety regulations.
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ECONOMIC AID: The federal government wants to develop further aid for companies that have suffered particularly hard and long-term closures.
TRAVEL: The Federal Government and the federal states are appealing «urgently» to refrain from travel that is not absolutely necessary at home and abroad.
For returnees from foreign areas with high numbers of infections or with a high spread of virus variants, there is already an obligation to quarantine.
Since a slight spread of Covid-19 variants is to be expected, especially in popular holiday destinations, the federal and state governments "expect" all airlines to "consistently test crews and passengers before the return flight and no further expansion of flights during the Easter holidays".
The federal government also wants to prescribe a test before departure for entry to Germany - but the Bundestag would have to approve an amendment to the Infection Protection Act.
SENIOR, Foster Care Homes and Homes for the Disabled: Unvaccinated residents should quickly receive a vaccination offer.
The offer of the federal government, for example to help with armed forces with testing, is still available.
NEXT STEPS: Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to consult with the prime ministers again on April 12th.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210323-99-930357 / 2