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Berlin (dpa) - Chancellor Angela Merkel is exerting massive pressure on the states to get them to implement the emergency brake and even stricter measures in view of the third wave of corona.
In the ARD program "Anne Will" she also explicitly mentioned exit restrictions in regions with particularly high numbers of infections: "Exit restrictions can be a very effective means."
Merkel spoke out against an early new Prime Minister's conference, but stressed that she would not watch until there were 100,000 new infections a day.
All of the easing plans planned by the federal states, including so-called model projects, were clearly rejected.
Merkel also indicated that the federal government could act if the states should not take the necessary measures.
“We must now take the appropriate measures with great seriousness.
And some federal states do that, others don't yet. "
If that does not happen “in the very foreseeable future”, she would have to think about how this could be regulated nationwide.
"This is my oath of office, this is my obligation."
One possibility is "to tackle the Infection Protection Act again and say very specifically what has to happen in which case".
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Merkel emphasized that she was still thinking about it and had not yet made a final decision.
In addition, majorities in the Bundestag and Bundesrat are required for all decisions.
The federal and state governments must act together.
«We cannot decide anything without each other».
But: “We are obliged by law to curb the infection rate.
And at the moment the containment is not there. "
Merkel called the nightly Prime Minister's Conference from Monday to Tuesday, with the decision on Easter rest, which was then quickly withdrawn, a "turning point" and emphasized: "It can't just go on like this now, we meet every four weeks and continue doing the same."
Many prime ministers would also see it that way.
But she is not at the end of her thinking.
Merkel said the gradual opening steps agreed at the beginning of March were a compromise.
«A compromise with good faith that the emergency brake will actually be implemented.
If it does not do so now, it is, so to speak, a violation of the decisions we have made. "
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The previous resolutions with the prime minister provided all the necessary instruments, said Merkel.
She referred to further contact restrictions, exit restrictions and the obligation of employers to offer home office wherever possible.
With a view to the Saarland, where the entire country is to be opened after Easter, Merkel pointed out that the number of infections there was not stable.
"That's why this is not the time to consider something like this now."
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210328-99-06187 / 3