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First German state set to end coronavirus restrictions in early June

The central German state of Thuringia wants to end coronavirus lockdown measures in early June, while teachers in all kindergartens and schools should be tested for the coronavirus.

Published: 23 May 2020 17:03 CEST
Updated: 25 May 2020 09:43 CEST

First German state set to end coronavirus restrictions in early June

Erfurt, the capital city of the central German state of Thuringia. Image: DPA

State premier Bodo Ramelow from Die Linke (Left Party) said on Saturday that he wanted to make lockdown measures, including face masks and contact restrictions, a thing of the past in Thuringia.

Ramelow said that in light of low coronavirus case numbers a regional solution was needed for the state rather than the continuation of federal regulations, reports DPA.

READ ALSO: What's the latest on coronavirus in Germany and what do I need to know?

“From June 6th, I would like to lift the general lockdown and replace it with a package of measures that focus on local authorisations,” he said.

As of Sunday, the central state was one of three in Germany which did not report any new coronavirus cases. In total, Thuringia has had 2,865 confirmed coronavirus cases, and 2,450 recoveries. There have also been 152 deaths.

The decision to lift restriction was met with both criticism and praise from around Germany. “What Ramelow is doing isn't brave but foolish,” wrote Die Welt, pointing out outbreaks in other states over the weekend following a church service and restaurant visit where social distancing rules weren't followed.

“I consider a complete quick relaxation to be premature,” said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Interior Minister Lorenz Caffier (CDU).

Yet Christian Lindner, leader of the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) agreed with Ramelow's decision on Twitter, writing that it makes sense on a regional level due to the current figures.

Current coronavirus restrictions in Germany are in place until June 5th, but were expected to be extended in some fashion.

On Monday, the eastern state of Saxony also announced that it would let go of its restrictions after June 5th – making only a few exceptions which have not yet been announced.

Member comments

Anonymous - 23 May 2020 at 18:14 CEST

This guy is obviously off his rocker.

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Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI, the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent.

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI.

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI.

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests.

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well.

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

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