In an exclusive interview with Munich's Merkur, Markus Söder takes a clear stance on the subject of corona vaccination. Meanwhile, beer gardens in Bavaria can hope.
- In an exclusive interview with Munich's Merkur * , Markus Söder talks about further Corona * loosening at the beer gardens in Bavaria.
- Bavaria's prime minister also plans to further expand the corona virus tests *.
- The announcement comes shortly before the first virtual CSU party conference.
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Bavaria. We also offer you the current number of cases in Bavaria * on a map. The following recommendations for corona protection measures are currently available.
Update, May 21, 10:55 pm: There is no exception for this guest either. Before he even gets a glass of water, he has to fill out the form in front of him. Surname. Length of stay. Phone number. Signature. He writes carefully and correctly. Name: Söder, Markus. Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Telephone: 089 2165 , this is the state chancellery. Only then does the Prime Minister take off the white and blue fabric mask, place it folded on the small table next to him, without touching the outside.
Met Markus Söder in the beer garden in Munich today. Before he was allowed to order anything, he also had to fill out the form - as he is called, telephone number, arrival time, signature. Equal rights for all. pic.twitter.com/g7xtm713Os
- Christian Deutschländer (@CDeutschlaender) May 20, 2020He looks around, satisfied: the neighboring tables are at least 1.50 meters away, the cutlery comes disinfected from the kitchen, the waitress rushes towards him with a dirndl and mask. A visit to the restaurant in Corona times - finally allowed again, but is that also cozy? We met the CSU boss in the garden of an inn to talk about it.
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Markus Söder on Corona loosening in Bavaria: "Unthinkable two months ago"
Finally sit outside. With a mask, it smells slightly of disinfection, and we would need arms two meters long to toast. A good cheer, Mr. Söder?
Söder: I am pleased that we can sit in the beer garden again at all. That was unthinkable two months ago. At that time, some experts feared that they might not be allowed into the beer garden all year round. The latest figures are all the more encouraging. This week we are among 3000 acutely infected for the first time. This means that only 0.023 percent of Bavaria is officially infected with Corona. Every day that the numbers go down makes my visit to the beer garden even more beautiful.
Name: Söder, Markus. He also has to fill out the form at the table immediately.
© Marcus sleep
Sounds like you're a little surprised at the declines yourself?
Söder: That was not to be expected at the beginning. There were days of exponential growth when we had to fear that Germany would experience Italian conditions. Only by acting quickly and consistently have we relaxed the situation. Look into other countries: wherever the virus was initially ignored, it has escalated.
Critics of the lockdown say: The R number was already under 1 before Germany was shut down.
Söder: The R number is not the only relevant factor. The most important numbers are that of new infections and deaths. These daily numbers were the most difficult moments for me at the beginning. I have often prayed that we can survive this situation. Thanks to the discipline of the population, we have guided Bavaria through the crisis well and can now ease it step by step.
Söder on corona policy in Bavaria: "We must not risk a relapse"
But how? Some people say: Now the Söder opens its beer gardens and cable cars, but the daycare is still closed. Is your scale correct?
Söder: Yes. Our yardstick is: as much freedom as possible, but also as much security as necessary. Corona remains dangerous and we must not risk a relapse. Therefore, we facilitate with care and conditions. That's working. This was the case in retail and will also work for the catering trade: first the outside, then the inside and at Pentecost the hotels. We are also gradually opening up daycare centers and schools, but with caution. By Pentecost, 50 percent of the children are back in school or daycare, but in small groups and with protective measures. We take the parents who urgently need care seriously, but also those who are still very concerned.
Söder is only allowed to move through the restaurant to the table wearing a mask.
© Marcus sleep
So opening on Sankt-Nimmerleins-Tag?
Söder: Of course not. The preschool children and other groups start after Pentecost on Monday. Whenever the numbers remain stable. If things go well, all children could see their daycare again before summer.
Söder about Corona in Bavaria: "Reason is decisive"
Why don't you test much more at daycare centers and schools? Then you could open much more courageously.
Söder: Courage is not a virtue at Corona, but reason is crucial. Next week we will decide on a concept to massively expand tests overall. I want us to use all our capacities wisely. The staff in clinics, old people's and nursing homes have priority. But we should also talk about significantly more voluntary tests for educators and teachers. In general, the duration should also be shortened. We need faster results.
The subject polarizes. What do you hear more often from citizens - that Bavaria is too strict or that Aiwanger is loosening you up too quickly?
Söder: The majority are simply happy to live in Bavaria during the crisis. Because of the proximity to Austria, we had to make decisions faster than others. That was right. At the beginning there was grumbling about the Nockherberg cancellation - today everyone is happy about it. But I also understand that one or the other is not going fast enough, especially if economic interests resonate. We make things easier, but with caution and not rash.
The criticism on the Corona demos is more fundamental!
Söder: Everyone has the right to express themselves, but I find it difficult to understand some of the arguments. Right-wing forces and conspiracy theorists are trying to exploit people's concerns. My advice is therefore not only to keep your distance physically, but also to be mindful of such groups. Corona was and still is a real threat. If the fire department extinguishes a burning house, the rescued residents don't complain the next day about why the basement is full of water. Let’s not just listen to the loudest in the front row. The majority thinks: It is better to open more slowly and therefore more securely.
Interview with distance: Söder orders a coffee and a mineral water before the conversation with Georg Anastasiadis (left) and Christian Deutschländer.
© Marcus sleep
Söder on the vaccination debate for coronavirus: “absurd”
Do you understand fears of being vaccinated?
Söder: An absurd debate. We don't even have a vaccine! If there is one, I will definitely be one of the first to be vaccinated. I want to protect not only myself, but also others from infection. In my view, there will be no compulsory vaccination, but clear recommendations for which groups the vaccination would be good.
Where are we in the crisis - is the worst over?
Söder: At the moment we have probably overcome the worst. Many countries are currently looking at Germany with admiration. However, many are also surprised whether we are stumbling on this lead again. All experts - doctors, virologists, biologists - rate the probability of a second wave as high. That is why we remain attentive and continue to build the health system.
We learn every day ...
Söder: That's right ...
... and now hear from the retail trade, the mask requirement keeps many buyers. Can you loosen up there?
Söder: That would be a mistake, and I don't share the analysis either: the city centers are full again, some are too full. Keeping a distance, wearing masks, disinfecting - that is the mother of all measures and is also widely accepted. The reason why less is bought than hoped: people are insecure. Many are short-time workers, some are worried about their jobs. We therefore need a large stimulus package to boost the economy again.
Do you distribute vouchers?
Söder: We will talk about impulses and targeted funding in the coalition committee in Berlin on June 2nd. People need more money in their pockets by pulling down on solos. Taxes have to go down and not up to strengthen citizens and businesses. For example, we need degressive depreciation again to increase investments. We should talk about automotive premiums to strengthen our key industry in Bavaria and Germany. And: We need a huge leap in technology in the area of digitization in order to come out of the crisis even more.
Is there a limit to new debt at some point?
Söder: At the moment everyone is outbid. This is too much! We therefore have to define and set an upper limit: what can a country like Germany, a country like Bavaria, afford without over-indebtedness?
Can we afford the EU's 500 billion program?
Söder: It's a big challenge. For us as an export nation, however, it is clear that our economy will only work if Europe as a whole works again. It is therefore good that Germany and France have agreed on a common position. Of course, with this program you have respect first because the sum is so high. But it is better than corona bonds. We therefore consider it justifiable to hold Europe together.
Has the Söder family booked a summer vacation this year?
Söder: No, not yet.
Aren't you overdoing it with Bayern vacation advertising? Do you have to forbid people to go to other countries?
Söder: I don't. As Prime Minister, I am of course interested in visiting our hotels and restaurants. Bavaria is a great vacation destination. The travel warning for abroad comes from the federal government as well as the decision on border controls. Incidentally, Italy, Spain and France are still very reluctant to resume tourism. And when I look at the number of infections there, I have a great understanding of it.
Foreign Minister Maas announced that the German travel warning would fall on June 15. You immediately registered skepticism!
Söder: Yes, I have. Our philosophy is to open up gradually so that we can take countermeasures week after week. We cannot yet speak seriously about the time after June 15th. And as a reminder: Corona has been brought from Austria by many ski vacationers.
The political situation has changed dramatically. The whole republic pays close attention to what “the Söder” is doing in Bavaria. Are you interested in even greater responsibility in Berlin?
Söder: I don't have the impression that the responsibility as Prime Minister is too small. You notice more and more: whether economy, climate, health - we are part of such a globally networked world that a politician always has to think internationally. A Bavarian prime minister must therefore know the beer garden regulation as well as the European economic and financial policy.
We have been sitting in the garden for two hours now. Take a look around: people would all welcome a loosening of the curfew until 10 p.m. Do you give yourself a jerk?
Söder: If the opening works this and next week, I can imagine that we will adjust the curfew at Pentecost. We are careful. Reason and zest for life are not mutually exclusive.
Corona virus in Bavaria: Söder wants to massively expand corona tests
First registration on May 21, 6:03 pm: Munich - Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) wants to significantly expand the corona tests and use the capacities across the board. "We will decide on a concept next week to massively expand tests overall," he told Munich's Merkur (Friday edition) * .
“I want us to use all capacities wisely. Priority is given to staff in clinics, old people's homes and nursing homes. ”Söder said that he also wanted to talk about significantly more voluntary tests for educators and teachers . “In general, the duration should also be shortened. We need faster results. "
Söder in Corona interview: "We make it easier with care" - voluntary tests for teachers
Söder defended his course of careful and slower openings. “Our yardstick is: as much freedom as possible, but also as much security as necessary. Corona remains dangerous and we must not risk a relapse. We therefore make it easier with prudence and conditions. "
Markus Söder at the Merkur interview in the "Freisinger Hof" beer garden in Munich.
© Marcus sleep
Söder on Corona demos in Munich and Bavaria: "Spiritual distance"
The CSU chief clearly distanced himself from the corona demonstrations, among others in Bavarian cities. “Everyone has the right to express themselves, but I find it difficult to understand some of the arguments. Right-wing forces and conspiracy theorists are trying to exploit people's concerns, ”he told Merkur * in Munich . "My advice is therefore not only to keep your distance physically, but also to distance yourself from such groups."
Söder on Coronavirus vaccination: "discussion is absurd"
He called the discussion about mandatory vaccination “absurd - we don't even have a vaccine! If there is one, I will definitely be one of the first to be vaccinated. I want to protect not only myself, but also others from infection. ”He went on to say:“ From my point of view, there will be no compulsory vaccination, but clear recommendations for which groups the vaccination would be good. ”
Interview with Söder: Careful backing for Merkel-Macron package
The CSU chairman expressed positive behavior about the planned 500 billion Europe package. It was a big challenge. “For us as an export nation, however, it is clear that our economy will only work if Europe as a whole works again. It is therefore good that Germany and France have agreed on a common position. ”Söder said:“ Of course, with this program you have respect first because the amount is so high. But it is better than corona bonds. We therefore consider it justifiable to keep Europe together. "
Söder announces possible longer opening times via beer gardens in Bavaria
Söder also announced that from Pentecost people would think about opening hours for beer gardens in Bavaria . The Prime Minister has also announced the reopening of outdoor pools. The fact that restaurants may be open until 10 p.m. from May 25, but beer gardens must continue to close at 8 p.m., caused a lot of criticism among restaurateurs throughout Bavaria.
* Munich Merkur and Merkur.de are part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.