Corona shutdown: politics, society and the church praise resolutions

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Christmas service in the Hamburg Michel (archive image)

Photo: Malte Christians / dpa

The decision by the federal government and state leaders for a hard shutdown has met with broad approval in politics and society.

From Wednesday on, public life will be shut down sharply.

Shops have to close unless they sell everyday necessities.

The contact restrictions are tightened again.

Alcohol is prohibited in public, New Year's fireworks may not be sold (read an overview here).

Anton Hofreiter, leader of the Greens in the Bundestag, called it "good that there was no further hesitation."

The announced measures are "a tough cut for many" - but the country is in a "dramatic situation".

SPD boss criticizes citizens

SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans saw the decision as an "important signal that politicians are able to act in a worrying situation," as he told the news portal "T-Online".

At the same time he criticized the behavior of the citizens.

The previous measures would not have been sufficient, "because responsible behavior without bans, especially in the private sphere, is still a foreign word in far too many places."

FDP leader Christian Lindner spoke of an "emergency brake" on the rulers, which was "understandable given the developments in the pandemic".

He called for a permanent corona strategy.

"Our concern is that otherwise we will shimmy from one lockdown to the next." The FDP was ready to cooperate.

Jörg Radek, head of the police union, praised the "clear measures".

They made the work of the police easier.

A ban on alcohol reduces the likelihood of gatherings in public.

The ban on selling pyrotechnics eased the situation at the turn of the year.

Evangelical Church relies on online offers

The chairman of the Central Committee of German Catholics, Thomas Sternberg, described the planned rules for congregations as "very sensible".

The federal-state resolution provides for a mask requirement and distance requirement as well as a singing ban for the municipalities.

If a particularly large number of visitors are expected, as at Christmas, registration lists must also be kept.

Sternberg said believers could also sing and pray at home or visit churches outside of worship times to see the nativity scene, for example.

"I am sure that those particularly at risk will not go to church anyway."

The spokesman for the German Bishops' Conference called for extreme caution and compliance with the corona rules.

"Responsibility and a sense of proportion are the order of the day," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Evangelical Church in Germany said: "It goes without saying that we want to do everything we can in our church services to avoid any health risks, and this is a clear consequence of the Christian commandment to love one's neighbor."

The Evangelical Church wants to focus more on online offers at Christmas.

"In addition to the services, which take place under strict protection concepts, we will reach many millions of people via online formats and television services, as we did at Easter," said the spokeswoman.

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sms / dpa / AFP