"The omicron wave is also declining in Hesse." That was the good news that Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) spread on Wednesday after the Corona conference of the heads of government of the federal and state governments.

He linked this with the announcement that the cabinet would essentially implement the agreed phased plan for easing in a meeting on Monday in state regulations.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

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But Bouffier had another message.

And it did not result in harmony, but in conflict between the federal government and the states.

The Union politician pointed out that the serious restrictions were lifted on March 20 because the Infection Protection Act then expires.

But even for the time after that, a kind of basic protection is still necessary.

But this requires a legal basis, which does not exist.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has announced that he wants to do this.

The governing coalition of Social Democrats, Greens and FDP is obviously not in agreement.

The countries are urgently dependent on such a legal basis in order to be able to react quickly to local outbreaks.

It is also certainly sensible not to completely lift the mask requirement everywhere after March 20th.

He was "not without hope that something reasonably sensible will come out of the deliberations in the governing coalition," said the Union politician.

But it is still unclear whether the Chancellor will meet with the Prime Minister again before March 20.

What is certain, however, is that the Ministers of Education are meeting.

This is important to clarify how schools will continue with compulsory masks and tests.

"Protective measures such as wearing masks, event-related testing and hygiene concepts have had broad support from the economy since the beginning of the pandemic," stated Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller, President of the Hessian Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

It should remain “even beyond March 20th”.

The fact that all serious restrictions should then be lifted is “an encouraging signal”.

However, some of the opening steps could be more practice-oriented, said the Chamber President.

Events such as congresses and trade fairs should be able to take place under 3G conditions until March 20th.

Masks and distance offer a high level of security.

According to Schoder-Steinmüller, it should be recognized that the utilization limits would be increased.

"Despite the spectator restrictions, this encourages Hessen as a trade fair and congress location."

Minister of Social Affairs Kai Klose (Die Grünen) has changed a regulation that applies in the event that a child or staff has tested positive.

In this case, the children of the entire group, regardless of their vaccination or recovery status, must be picked up by their parents.

But the duration of the quarantine for children and caregivers who have not tested positive themselves will be shortened.

You can re-enter the day-care center the following day on presentation of a quick test carried out by a test center with a negative result.

Klose emphasized that this would provide significant relief in an overall tense situation.

Facilities could decree re-entry on the first day after the test was conducted.

Parents are strongly advised to regularly test all children who continue to visit the daycare center on the following days.