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No Easter lockdown, no break in the professional leagues.

After the originally planned decision for an Easter break has now been overturned, German professional sport can also continue to play over the holidays as planned.

You will take responsibility for this, said Chancellor Angela Merkel after the short-term switching conference with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

"It was my fault.

I apologize to all citizens.

I am fully responsible for this.

With my head through the wall, the wall always wins - that's my long experience, ”said Merkel.

The reason for the decision was that too many follow-up problems would have arisen had politicians - as initially decided - declared Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday to be rest days.

“The idea of ​​an Easter hatdown was designed with the best of intentions.

Because we absolutely have to manage to slow down and reverse the third wave of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, the idea of ​​the so-called Easter rest was flawed, it had its good reasons, but could not be implemented well enough in the short time available.

If it can be implemented at all in such a way that the cost and benefit are in a reasonably reasonable ratio, ”said Merkel after the surprisingly convened round with the state heads of government.

This means that a forced break for the Bundesliga and other professional leagues in basketball, handball, volleyball and ice hockey, which have been running for months without any spectators and with hygiene concepts, is off the table.

The German Football League (DFL) had already assumed that it would be possible to play as planned from Easter Saturday to Easter Sunday.

Berlin's mayor caused a stir

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"The DFL currently has no information or factual reasons that oppose this," quoted the kicker on Wednesday, even before the big Easter plan of the federal and state governments toppled.

The 27th matchday with the top match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich on Easter Saturday (6:30 p.m.) and the Berlin City Derby Union against Hertha on Easter Sunday (6:00 p.m., both in the WELT sports ticker) can take place as planned walk.

Conflicting information from Lower Saxony, Saxony and Berlin had previously led to considerable confusion about the consequences of the Easter rest for professional sport.

Berlin's governing mayor Michael Müller had announced after the federal-state switch that there had to be a nationwide solution to this question.

Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) and Herthino (left), Hertha BSC's mascot.

Müller is a fan of the club

Source: pa / dpa / Bernd von Jutrczenka

The ghost game operation under strict conditions has become normal after more than a year of the corona pandemic.

For around ten months, games have been played in mostly empty stadiums, and a whole Bundesliga year has passed since the beginning of the pandemic without a single top division game having to be canceled after the restart.

"The Bundesliga gives people routine and a little normality," said former world champion Philipp Lahm in an interview with "t-online.de".

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There is little or no real danger to the nationwide infection process from professional sport.

The athletes are in their bladders and are constantly being tested.

This also applies to other professional sports leagues.

Nevertheless, there were Corona cancellations such as handball and basketball.

Instead of having to struggle with new catch-up dates, the planned program can now be continued.

After there had recently been more game cancellations in the 2nd division, the League Association once again sharpened the hygiene concept.

In addition to the PCR tests, there are now also rapid tests, which are mandatory on every training and travel day from an incidence of 35.

The quarantine training camps announced on Tuesday for all professional clubs could take place from April 14th to 26th, according to a "kicker" report.

The aim of the DFL is to be able to adhere to the existing schedule with the season finale in May.