The federal emergency brake has far-reaching consequences for trade.
The rules are particularly strict for shops over 800 square meters - and therefore for hardware stores.
Munich - The German hardware stores are among the winners of the Corona crisis: Obi, Hornbach and Co. made almost 14 percent more sales in 2020 compared to the previous year - a total of 22 billion.
Because rarely did people have so much time to beautify their homes.
The new Infection Protection Act could now slow down this soaring.
The federal emergency brake will in future apply nationwide from an incidence of 100. However, the regulations are particularly strict for hardware stores in Bavaria.
Obi, Hornbach and Co .: These rules apply in May
The federal emergency brake came into force on April 24, but due to the increasing numbers, the effects are likely to be felt more clearly in May than in April. On this Thursday morning, for example, the seven-day incidence nationwide was 154.9. If a region is above the incidence of 100 for three days in a row, the emergency brake is applied. An end is only in sight when the region has been below the limit for five days.
Doubling the distances between customers is particularly relevant for DIY stores. If the incidence is above the 100 mark, 40 people are allowed to stay in an area of 800 square meters. Half as many as before. If the shop space is larger than 800 square meters, one additional customer may enter for every 40 square meters. The Obi and Hornbach branches are usually much larger. In order to contain the vaccination and thus the corona pandemic more quickly, vaccination is being tested by company doctors in Lower Saxony. This is reported by Kreiszeitung.de. *
If the incidence rises to over 150, it is only possible to collect previously ordered goods.
In order to be able to use this so-called Click & Collect system, do-it-yourselfers need an appointment and a negative corona test.
Industry experts like the trade association HDE welcome the option of Click & Collect up to an incidence value of 200.
Overall, however, the federal emergency brake remains too general, the HDE continues.
Obi and Hornbach hardware stores in Bavaria: What special rules are there in the Free State?
The federal emergency brake was actually supposed to standardize the corona measures in Germany.
Because it was not always easy for citizens to keep track of the applicable rules.
Nevertheless, Bavaria chooses the special route.
Former Chancellor candidate Markus Söder decided that shops with an incidence of 150 or more may no longer be visited even with an appointment.
This restricts Obi, Hornbach and Co. more clearly than in other federal states, because there the ban only applies from a value of 200 on three consecutive days.
Hardware stores: Trade association expects queues, especially before public holidays
Experts recommend shopping in the late morning and early afternoon.
Besonders vor Feiertagen ist der Andrang groß. Es lohnt es sich also, einen Blick in den Kalender zu werfen und dann antizyklisch einkaufen zu gehen. Denn im Mai gibt es weitere gesetzliche Feiertage, die nicht auf einen Sonntag fallen: Der 13. Mai (Christi Himmelfahrt) und der 24. Mai (Pfingstmontag). Übrigens: Verbraucher können auch zu einem technischen Hilfsmittel greifen, um Warteschlangen in Geschäften zu vermeiden. *
kreiszeitung.de ist ein Angebot von IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Sven Hoppe / dpa