Spahn: Gradual return to normality is conceivable

The Federal Minister of Health sees the first signs of a containment of the virus. After the holidays, he considers cautious steps from standstill to be possible.

Berlin (dpa) - In view of the first successes in containing the corona virus in Germany, Health Minister Jens Spahn considers cautious steps out of the state-ordered standstill after the Easter holidays.

If the development of infection numbers continues, "we will be able to talk to the Prime Minister about a gradual return to normality after the Easter holidays," the CDU politician told the "Handelsblatt" (Thursday). In a free constitutional state, far-reaching restrictions on fundamental rights could only work as long as they were understood and accepted. Therefore, it is not only important to justify the action well, but also to show a perspective.

Spahn said about the contagion numbers in Germany: "We see a positive trend. But it has to steady." The prerequisite for this is that the population also adheres to everyday restrictions over the holidays.

This Thursday, the Federal Government's Corona Crisis Cabinet meets for another meeting. Another issue could be the procurement of protective material, and a conceivable increase in short-time allowance.

In the afternoon, Spahn, Family Minister Franziska Giffey (SPD) and the President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, want to provide information about the current corona situation in Germany. On Wednesday, the death toll had reached the 2000 mark. Consultations also continue in the federal states, in Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia the state assemblies meet for special meetings.