What could an exit strategy look like, how could the way back to more normality in Germany look like? Bavarian Prime Minister Söder announces that the anti-corona struggle is likely to last even longer.
Munich (dpa) - Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has held out even longer-term restrictions in the gastronomy sector to contain the corona virus.
In addition, he agreed to the people on Monday evening that the wearing of masks should also be expanded more and more in this country in the future.
"We have to prepare people for a life with the pandemic. Of course, this includes wearing more masks," said the CSU chairman on the ARD. And he added: "This also means that exit restrictions or contact closures in certain areas such as the catering trade will certainly remain in place for longer." But there could also be "bright spots" where one could develop further. This path must be "coherent in itself". The Prime Minister wanted to discuss with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) next week what this way could look like, emphasized Söder. "We have to be careful and not risk a relapse."
Most recently, the federal and state governments extended existing contact blocks and further restrictions until April 19 inclusive.
"The increased use of masks is urgently needed," said Söder. These protect the wearer less, "but protect the other from infection". "This of course ensures increased protection." It is therefore important to make as many masks as possible in Germany in order to better supply the population with them. And wherever many people would have to meet, for example at work, in public transport or in shops, one needs "an increased use of masks, absolutely". On the other hand, elementary school students could hardly be required to wear a mask.
Söder also spoke out in favor of a voluntary mobile phone app to be able to track infection chains. "We definitely need a tracking system," he said. "We need a German app." If such an app were mandatory, it would have a greater impact - but that is not compatible with the idea that you have in Germany. Therefore, the voluntary solution makes sense.
Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz justified the planned slow start of public life in his country. "We were very, very restrictive and we were very, very quick in our actions," he said. That is why Austria can now be started up very carefully and gradually. However, "accompanying measures" such as the requirement to wear a mask are needed in some areas.
Söder said that Austria was about three weeks ahead - if only because the "main infections" in Bavaria and large parts of Germany came from Austria. "We got infected, so to speak, from skiing all over Germany." The Ischgl ski resort in particular is the starting point for many infections.
Söder said of Kurz's announcements that the anti-corona measures would be eased slowly: "I am not yet completely certain that the model will work one-to-one, because in some places it is not very consistent." In Germany, it is now better advised to continue the measures and to wait for their effects.
"It's not like a thunderstorm that just passes by," said Söder about the Corona crisis. You have to be careful not to make a serious relapse if you make decisions too quickly. You shouldn't get up too early. Austria had also suddenly not loosened everything suddenly. "The exit restrictions remain."
