Corona summit decides to relax – what rules now apply in hardware stores?

Created: 2022-02-17Updated: 2022-02-17, 2:37 p.m

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

In hardware stores, central corona rules must still be observed.

© Sven Hoppe/dpa

The Corona summit decided on far-reaching easing, but some central measures must still be observed.

Hardware stores are also affected.

Munich – For the first time in two years of the corona pandemic, hopes for a life without major restrictions are now growing.

At the Corona summit, the federal and state governments decided to relax the current rules.

The main reason for this is the omicron mutant: It is highly contagious, but has a much easier course of the disease and therefore does not overload the clinics.

In addition, its peak is now behind.

All this has ensured an optimistic situation and easing.

According to the final decision of the Prime Ministers' Conference (MPK), a relaxation in three steps is planned.

March 20th is the last station.

On that date, “all more in-depth protective measures” are to be lifted.

The emphasis here is on “profound”.

Some rules will continue to apply - even in hardware stores.

Corona summit agrees on three-stage plan for easing - now uniform rule for hardware stores

According to the three-stage plan of the MPK, some changes will occur with immediate effect.

The future situation in the retail sector is also explicitly examined in the summit resolution.

"Unless already planned or implemented, the previously frequently applied restriction of access in retail will no longer apply," explains the document.

In concrete terms, this means: Access to retail should be possible for everyone nationwide without any controls.

Previously, there was confusion about the situation in hardware stores, especially at the peak of the corona waves and the resulting stricter rules.

Shops for everyday needs were exempt from the applicable access restrictions, but the definition of this term changed depending on the federal state.

So the rules were very different.

In addition, most DIY stores objected to the introduction of the 2G rule in their branches.

This caused a lack of clarity, which has now been eliminated with the new nationwide decision.

Corona loosening: MPK continues to insist on basic protective measures - mask, distance, hygiene

However, the omission of the controls does not directly mean a complete lifting of the corona rules in retail.

It is being relaxed, but at the same time the MPK decision also states: “In order to take account of the still high risk of infection indoors, medical masks must be worn in any case.

The use of FFP2 masks is recommended unless required by state law.” A mask must therefore continue to be worn in hardware stores.

In general, the federal and state governments agreed on "low-threshold basic protection measures" after March 20 in order to guarantee a minimum level of protection for the population.

The detailed information also allows conclusions to be drawn about hardware stores that belong to the category of closed rooms.

With these measures, which should still apply, the decision again refers to wearing a mask.

In addition, the distance requirement and general hygiene requirements must be maintained in line with these basic rules.

When visiting hardware stores, these three basic rules must continue to be observed despite the controls being lifted.

Read here what applies in supermarkets after the summit.