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ANGELA MERKEL

German lockdown measures could last ‘until the end of May or mid-June’

Germany may be facing a much longer shutdown, as new federal measures could last until the end of May or middle of June, reported Berlin’s Tagesspiegel on Monday.

German lockdown measures could last 'until the end of May or mid-June'
A closed restaurant in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, on April 1st. A curfew is in place in the city. Photo: DPA

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff Helge Braun (CDU) made it clear in a meeting with Germany’s 16 states on Sunday that the federal government could extend and strengthen current lockdown measures until the end of May or mid-June, according to the Tagesspiegel.

The move comes as part of a planned update to the Infection Protection Act, which aims to grant the federal government more control over regulations which previously were decided and enforced by the states.

READ ALSO: Germany to tighten national coronavirus law in bid to ‘create uniform rules’

According to a draft revision to the law, stricter measures would be put in place when there’s a 7-day incidence of over 100 new infections per 100,000 residents lasting for over three days, as well as automatically for a 7-day incidence of over 200. 

Based on the current infection rate around Germany, the government expects these measures to last several more weeks. The current shutdown, as decided on by Merkel and state leaders, was extended until April 18th at the last summit.

LATEST: Covid-19 infections in Germany rise above 3 million

What might the new measures look like?

If there’s a three-day long 7-day incidence of over 100, private gatherings would be restricted, there would be a nighttime curfew, and all businesses (with the exception of essential shops or businesses such as grocery stores) and cultural and recreational facilities would have to close again. Restaurants would remain closed except for take-out and delivery.

If the 7-day incidence rises above 200, schools and Kitas (daycare centres) would automatically be closed under the draft. State and local governments would no longer have any discretionary leeway.

READ ALSO: These are the new powers that Merkel plans to acquire in battle against pandemic

About half of all rural and urban districts in Germany currently have 7-day incidences over 100.

Since the measures would be decreed by law and not by ordinance, anyone who wants to challenge the decisions in court would only be able to do so through the Federal Constitutional Court. 

Several states have already argued that other criteria should be used in addition to the 7-day incidence value. 

In addition, there are calls not to close stores completely, but to allow “click and collect,” for example, a system which would allow people to shop by appointment only.

This is what the new draft measures in the Infection Protection Act specify:

  • Hard, regional lockdown if the 7-day incidence threshold of 100 is exceeded for three days
  • Private gatherings will be limited to members of a household and one other person
  • Curfews from 9pm to 5am, with exceptions for emergencies or work-related reasons
  • Sports will be very limited, with a maximum of two people
  • All businesses must also close – with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores and gas stations.
  • Cultural and leisure facilities such as zoos, swimming pools, museums, etc. will also have to close
  • The catering trade will remain closed. Pick-up and delivery of food is allowed, however
  • If the incidence level is below the level of 100 again for three days, the measures can be waived. If it is above that for three days, they come back into effect
  • Schools and daycare centers may remain open only if the incidence is below 200. Even then, students may only attend classes if they test twice a week

OPINION: Germany has never had a real Covid lockdown

The government is aiming to rush the law change through the Bundestag this week so it’s not set in stone at this stage.

Member comments

  1. If only they’d put as much energy in organising vaccinations as they do in deciding how to restrict us even more – we’d all be vaccinated by now.

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HEALTH

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

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

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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