What will change in hardware stores from June? These rules apply to Obi, Hornbach and Co.

The corona numbers are currently falling in Germany.

New rules could apply to hardware stores in June.

Kassel - The federal emergency brake came into force on April 23, 2021.

Since then, uniform corona measures have applied nationwide.

The individual regulations depend on the 7-day incidence.

The lower this is, the looser the rules become.

The federal emergency brake also imposes restrictions on supermarkets and hardware stores.

In supermarkets of up to 800 square meters, only one person per 20 square meters can be admitted.

For shops that are larger than 800 square meters, such as hardware stores, particularly strict rules apply.

If the 7-day incidence is over 100, the intervals between clients need to be doubled.

So the following applies: Only one additional customer may enter per 40 square meters.

Hardware stores and Corona: This applies to Obi, Hornbach and Co.

If the incidence exceeds 150, customers can pre-order the goods online and collect them from Obi, Hornbach and Co.

It is then no longer possible to rummage through the shelves of the hardware store.

This regulation applies up to the mark of 200, from then on Click & Collect is no longer allowed and the hardware stores are closed.

The nationwide seven-day incidence in Germany is currently below 50 - with a downward trend.

In the previous week, the value was over 50. If this trend continues, more people will be able to shop in hardware stores at the same time in June.

Corona emergency brake and hardware stores: What applies to the different incidences

Incidence	regulation
Over 200	Hardware store closes, No Click & Collect
Over 150	Hardware store closes, Click & Collect
Over 100	Hardware store opens, Click & Meet
Under 100	Construction store opens, country rules apply

Hardware stores and Corona: This applies in Hessen to Obi, Hornbach and Co.

Despite the positive development of the 7-day incidence in Germany, some restrictions still apply in the retail sector.

This also applies to DIY stores such as Hagebau, Obi, Hornbach and Co. From an incidence of less than 100, the federal emergency brake no longer applies - the individual regulations of the federal states now apply.

In Hesse, for example, a two-stage easing concept was recently adopted.

For the federal emergency brake to be relaxed, the incidence in a circle must be below 100 on five consecutive working days.

Relaxations then apply from the day after next.

Sundays and public holidays do not count towards this bill.

If the incidence value is below 100 for a further two weeks, the respective district should go to level 2.

If the incidence is below 100, regardless of whether it is in easing level 1 or 2, the hardware stores in Hesse are open.

Square meter restrictions still apply, but more customers can go to the hardware stores again.

The queues in front of the shops could accordingly be shorter again in June.

Incidence	regulation
Below 100 (easing level 1 of the state of Hesse)	Click & Meet, negative test (recommended), one customer per 10 sqm (sales area up to 800 sqm), one customer per 20 sqm (sales area from 800 sqm)
Below 100 (easing level 2 of the state of Hesse)	Negative test (recommended), one customer per 10 sqm (sales area up to 800 sqm), one customer per 20 sqm (sales area from 800 sqm)

Hardware stores and Corona: This applies in Lower Saxony to Obi, Hagebau and Co.

In Lower Saxony, the new step-by-step plan 2.0 has been in effect for the retail trade since May 25, 2021.

A distinction is made between three levels.

Level 3 (severe infection rate) applies to an incidence of 50 to 100. Level 2 (high rate of infection) applies from an incidence between 35 and 50 and level 1 (increased rate of infection) applies between 10 and 35.

In level 3, DIY stores with hygiene concepts are open.

On an area of ​​less than 800 square meters, DIY stores are allowed to leave one customer per 20 square meters.

One customer per 40 square meters is allowed to enter the area that exceeds 800 square meters.

The same rules apply in level 2.

In level 1, there are no longer any square meter restrictions for hardware stores.

Incidence	regulation
Level 3: incidence 50 - 100 (level plan 2.0 of the state of Lower Saxony)	Negative test (above, one customer per 20 sqm (sales area up to 800 sqm), one customer per 40 sqm (sales area from 800 sqm)
Level 2: incidence 35 - 50 (level plan 2.0 of the state of Lower Saxony)	One customer per 20 sqm (sales area up to 800 sqm), one customer per 40 sqm (sales area from 800 sqm)
Level 1: Incidence 10 - 35 (Level 2.0 of the State of Lower Saxony)	No square meter restrictions

(Luisa Ebbrecht)