Corona virus in Germany: Altmaier wants to tackle fraud in aid programs

What's next with the corona virus in Germany? The Federal Minister of Economics wants to take action against abuse of the Corona aid.

• The federal government has taken drastic measures because of the corona virus *.
• The ban on contact was extended until April 19.
• From Friday, a 14-day quarantine obligation applies to those arriving
• Here you can find current case numbers in Germany as a map. You can also find the latest news on the Corona crisis in Germany in our news ticker.

Update from 9:13 p.m .: Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier wants to take action against the misuse of financial aid from Corona. Recently, the payment of the Corona emergency aid had to be temporarily stopped in NRW due to attempts at fraud *. "A few black sheep endanger the quick payment for many thousands of honest people who urgently need this help now," said the CDU politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group. Abuse occurred above all when applying for the immediate program for solo self-employed and small businesses.

It is about direct grants to companies whose businesses are suffering or failing in the face of the corona pandemic. Companies with up to five employees can apply for 9,000 euros, companies with up to ten employees 15,000 euros. Medium-sized companies with up to 50 employees can get 25,000 euros. "The rapid payment was and is necessary, but action against fraud and abuse must be dealt with rigorously," said Altmaier.

Fight against corona virus in Germany: AKK wants to use Bundeswehr as a shopping assistant

Update from 16:26: Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has offered broad support to the Bundeswehr in gradually phasing out the restrictions in the fight against the Corona crisis. For example, use in health offices for tracking infection chains is conceivable. Soldiers could also help organize purchases if people couldn't leave their homes.

In addition to its own “Corona contingent” of 15,000 active soldiers , around 17,000 women and men served in the medical facilities or in Bundeswehr hospitals , where civilians are also looked after, said Kramp-Karrenbauer. In addition, around 16,000 reservists have reported. A little more than 400 reservists are currently deployed, particularly in the medical sector, for example for reinforcement in Bundeswehr hospitals.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to deploy the Bundeswehr to help during the corona crisis.

© dpa / Michael Kappeler

By Thursday, 344 requests for administrative assistance from the states and municipalities had been received by the Bundeswehr, said Kramp-Karrenbauer. Of these, 103 have already been implemented or have started with them. 18 applications have already been successfully completed. The Ministry of Defense noted that the nature of the applications was changing. "In the beginning there were a lot of questions about protective equipment and medical personnel." Now there are increasing requests for "helping hands, be it at the smear stations, be it for support with telephone chains in health offices, or when setting up emergency hospitals".

After coronavirus in Germany: CSU presents five-point plan for more independence

Update of April 12, 1:50 p.m .: According to a media report, the CSU in the Bundestag has developed measures to better position Germany and Europe in the fight against future viruses and to make them more independent of international markets. The current crisis shows that the global exchange of goods must not lead to dependencies, quotes "Bild am Sonntag" from a five-point plan that it has.

The chairman of the CSU state group in the Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, told the newspaper: "In Germany and Europe, in the event of a crisis, we must be able to protect our citizens and our economy on our own." That is why "a European sovereignty Offensive " .

Alexander Dobrindt is chairman of the CSU regional group in the Bundestag.

© dpa / Matthias Balk

According to the report, the CSU country group's plan calls for important medicines, protective clothing and medical devices to be produced in Europe. Pharmaceutical companies should undertake that at least one variant of all important medicines be produced in Europe. Hospitals should build emergency capacities on intensive care beds and medical staff.

The plan also provides for the establishment of a European digital infrastructure that will enable people to work in their home offices without data transfer abroad. In the event of a crisis, German companies should be protected against takeovers with a protective paragraph in foreign trade law.

What comes after Corona? "Establish councils" - Habeck demands an unusual "sign" from Merkel

Update from 2.45 p.m .: Despite all braking attempts by the German government politicians: The mind games about the future after the Corona crisis are running. Some very far-reaching suggestions were thrown into the debate by the Green Party leader Robert Habeck on Easter weekend. "Nothing is over," he said in a blog post on his own website. Nevertheless, "the question arises whether we make the time after the time of the prohibitions a time of opportunity".

"What normality do we actually want to have back? More precisely one would have to ask: What normality do we actually want to go to?" - Robert Habeck's ideas for the time after #Corona now in his blog. https://t.co/LVfUhWAmyk

Probably the most unusual move by Habeck: In the posting, he called for new ways of participation for the citizens . "It would be a great sign of the federal government to set up alliances and councils after the crisis," writes the Green. In these, "randomly drawn citizens should discuss what they had experienced, discuss the consequences for the time afterwards and draw social conclusions" - possibly initially in video conferences.

Habeck mentioned the importance of the health system, the "preventive state" and appreciation for public spaces as another necessary lesson of the crisis. Among other things, schools, daycare centers, libraries need to be strengthened. "Green work" and "lousy wages" did not go together, said the Green politician. He called for "higher wage agreements, minimum wages, a social system that Hartz IV leaves behind".

Coronavirus in Germany: left-wing politician calls for a "pandemic supplement" from Merkel government

Update from 13:51 : The left in the Bundestag demands special government payments for the unemployed and low-wages in view of the Corona crisis. There must be “a pandemic surcharge” of 200 euros per person per month on Hartz IV and social assistance, the left social expert Sabine Zimmermann told the newspapers of the Funke media group. She pointed out that many panels are currently closed and the cost of some goods has increased. Her party colleague Sahra Wagenknecht recently commented similarly on Twitter :

Even at the FDP the penny drops: # HartzIV recipients are now in great need. BuReg must therefore grant a € 200 pandemic surcharge on social benefits! We finally need a basic security that meets the need - even without arm feeding via boards. #Coronavirus # COVID19 https://t.co/e9u2O8Pd6C

In addition, the federal government must retroactively pay a monthly allowance for lunch from March 1. Zimmermann referred to the latest figures from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) . According to this, around 450,000 children throughout Germany are entitled to a free lunch as part of the education and participation package, including 257,000 between the ages of six and 15 and 155,000 under the age of six. This lunch has now dropped due to the school closings. That will probably remain the same after the Easter holidays .

Violent corona attack by Lindner: Merkel speaks to both Germans and children

Update of April 11, 7:09 am: Two thirds of Germans are satisfied with the federal government's crisis management in the fight against the corona virus - and the trend is rising. In a survey conducted by the YouGov polling institute on behalf of the German Press Agency, 66 percent rated the black and red cabinet, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, as positive during the crisis. Two weeks ago it was 54 percent. The proportion of dissatisfied fell from 38 to 27 percent during this period.

Violent corona attack by Lindner: Merkel speaks to both Germans and children

Update from 7:25 p.m .: After Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about the current corona situation in the afternoon ( see update from 4:22 p.m. ), the opposition is facing a headwind. FDP boss Christian Lindner told bild.de: "Now questions have to be directed to Ms. Merkel. The time of calm for the opposition is slowly coming to an end after we have shut down the country for so long. ”

Lindner found the Chancellor's "style of communication" particularly negative. Lindner had "the impression that the government speaks to the citizens like children , who are left in the dark as to what is going to happen now."

Lindner also criticized the lack of coverage of the so-called unreported cases in cases that the Federal Government does not sufficiently include in its decisions. Accordingly, the head of the FDP comes to a clear conclusion: " The Federal Government at least no longer completely convinces me " - according to a recent survey, the vast majority of the population see it differently.

The 41-year-old also calls for the exit restrictions to be relaxed, because "instead of going down the whole country, we should focus more on the direct protection of people who are particularly at risk."

Corona virus in Germany: Easter as an important "fork in the road" - Spahn appeals to the nation

Update from 16:22: In the afternoon Angela Merkel (CDU) spoke at a press conference about the current corona situation. From the Chancellor's point of view, the relaxation of contact restrictions due to the corona epidemic is only conceivable to a very limited extent. "We have to be very, very careful," said Merkel in Berlin on Thursday.

If so, then one can proceed “in small steps” and have to watch the consequences again and again. The goal is still not to overwhelm the health system at any point.

Merkel made it clear that upcoming decisions about a possible new phase "on a solid basis" of numbers should be made, among other things, about the infection process. She also referred to a study from the Leopoldina National Science Academy expected after Easter.

On Tuesday, the federal government will initially advise in the Corona cabinet, on Wednesday the federal government and the state premiers will then discuss how to proceed.

Corona crisis in Germany: Easter as an important “fork in the road” - Spahn appeals to the nation

Update from 3 p.m .: The Easter holidays are coming and the nice weather is probably making it all the more difficult to stay at home. In a PC, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) expressed satisfaction with the recent development in the corona numbers, but at the same time made an appeal to the citizens. The number of new infections "flattens out", he said in Berlin - this only increases by four to five percent a day, as the government politician describes. According to his descriptions, there are now more than 50,000 people who have recovered from almost 110,000 people.

The minister emphasized that the citizens made a significant contribution through their behavior. It is therefore important to remain consistent. The upcoming Easter holidays were described by Spahn as a "fork in the road": "" If we stay consistent over the weekend, a gradual return to normal is more likely, "said Spahn. If not, an extension of the conditions would be necessary, however, the 39-year-old also made it clear .

Corona crisis: Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) believes that easing after the Easter holidays is possible. (Archive picture)

© dpa / Martin Schutt

According to the Minister of Health, over 3,000 corona patients are currently being treated in hospitals and most of them are ventilated. According to the current status, 10,000 intensive care beds would be available. Six out of seven patients were treated on an outpatient basis. His conclusion encourages many citizens: The German healthcare system has a strong basis, "for all problems that exist in everyday life".

A new Sunday trend shows that the CDU and CSU are soaring.

Coronavirus in Germany: Rapid help for child abuse

Update from 12.20 p.m .: Against the background of the Corona crisis, the federal government's abuse commissioner , Johannes-Wilhelm Rörig , called on all citizens to help fight child abuse . He made an urgent appeal to the population not to lose sight of children in the current situation.

In order to facilitate access to contact persons for affected children and helpers, the new website kein-kind-alleine- Lassen.de has been activated. For children and adolescents there is also a chat function on the website for direct contact with contact persons who can provide help. Endangered or affected children may not be able to make phone calls unobserved at the moment if perpetrators are at home all day. That is why an online offer is the right way to reach children and young people.

Corona virus in Germany: Commissioner asks for help in the fight against child abuse

There is also information on contacts for suspected child abuse, as well as flyers and posters to print out. Rörig said: "Even hanging a flyer in the hallway can help remind the neighborhood to take care of children and young people from their own environment."

Experts had warned of an increase in domestic and family violence due to contact and exit restrictions. According to Rörig, the risk is also very high because daycare centers, schools and sports clubs are closed, where there is otherwise the possibility that domestic violence will be noticed. Rörig asked the population for increased sensitivity in times of the Corona crisis: It was important to address children and adolescents directly and to tell them that there was help.

Corona virus in Germany: Prime Minister calls for a uniform approach to easing

Update, April 9, 10.30 a.m .: Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) hopes that the federal states will act in a unified manner to relax the restrictions imposed by the Corona crisis. When asked in the ZDF morning magazine whether different solutions - for example with school openings - were conceivable, he said: "I do not want to speculate, but at least it cannot be our goal."

The SPD politician said that there are very different situations in the individual federal states - for example in terms of the number of infections. Nevertheless, it would be very helpful if the countries took the same step in the same direction, "that there is no confusion".

The measures that have been in effect to date have had an impact, but Weil is still far from achieving the goal. Now it has to be seen how the situation develops over Easter. "And no one should believe that from April 20th our old life can start again in a way - certainly not," he said. "If there can be any loosening at all - I don't know."

In Bavaria, Prime Minister Markus Söder is now faced with criticism. It is about the planned mask requirement *. Meanwhile, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a television speech to the people of Germany in the Corona crisis. In the meantime, Pope Francis has also spoken about the Corona crisis - and made a surprise call on TV.

Coronavirus in Germany: As of Friday (March 10th), travelers must be in quarantine

Update, April 9, 10 a.m .: As of Friday, a mandatory quarantine of two weeks applies in Germany for people arriving from abroad. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, violations of the new rules can result in fines of between EUR 150 and EUR 25,000 . The federal and state governments have agreed on a model regulation that sets uniform standards nationwide and that should already apply to Easter traffic, the ministry announced.

Accordingly, foreigners and returning Germans must first go to a 14-day domestic quarantine to clarify whether they are infected with the corona virus. This applies to everyone who has spent several days abroad.

Corona crisis in Germany: Large fines for violations of the quarantine obligation

"The measures aim to interrupt the chains of infection in cross-border traffic as far as possible and thus further curb the further spread of the coronavirus," said the Federal Ministry of the Interior .

The federal and state governments also agreed on a catalog of fines to be used to punish violations of the quarantine obligation. They range from 150 euros for people who violate the requirement to go straight to their own home after entering Germany, and up to 25,000 euros for employers who mistakenly issue certificates to their employees with which they are from Quarantine requirements should be exempted.

Jens Spahn believes that the Corona virus restrictions can be relaxed after Easter

Update, April 9, 6.45 a.m .: Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) believes the first easing of restrictions in the corona crisis after the Easter holidays is possible *. A "positive trend" can be observed in the number of infections, but it still has to "steady", says Spahn. However, the prerequisite for this is that the population also adheres to everyday restrictions over the Easter holidays .

If the current positive trend in the number of infections continues, the Federal Government will be able to talk to the heads of state of the federal states "about a gradual return to normality after the Easter holidays," said the Federal Minister of Health .

Spahn emphasized that the duration of the blocking of contacts and other everyday restrictions depend on the behavior of the citizens: "With appropriate caution, more normality will soon be possible again." But it is also clear that it will take a long time for normal events, such as football matches, to return come in.

The health minister also outlined his criteria for a gradual revival of the German economy. One condition is that one can “organize the factory or business safely for employees and customers”. Companies or industries that can demonstrate that they ensure hygiene or distance rules could be easier to go back to everyday life.

Corona virus in Germany: no diet increase - is the Bundestag now doing without it?

Update 10:01 pm: In view of the Corona crisis , the 709 members of the German Bundestag are likely to forego their regular dietary increase . According to statements from the political groups, this is evident. After the Left, FDP and Greens had previously pleaded for a corresponding step, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich said on Wednesday that his parliamentary group is striving to forego an increase in diets this year.

There are apparently similar considerations among the CDU and CSU . The first parliamentary director of the Union faction, Michael Grosse-Brömer, said: "In the biggest crisis that Germany has experienced in the past few years, we think increasing the remuneration of parliamentarians is problematic." Therefore, the CDU / CSU group is already examining how a waiver can be implemented in parliament. Recently, some young MPs also called for the diet to be cut this year.

The federal and state governments agree on rules for travelers in view of the corona virus in Germany

In addition, the federal and state governments agreed on the new quarantine rules for travelers in good time before the Easter weekend. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the federal states have agreed to issue their own ordinances in accordance with the agreement.

To stop cross-border chains of infection, the Corona Crisis Cabinet decided on Monday to issue a 14-day quarantine for all travelers. Since, apart from commuters, truck drivers and other specially defined groups, foreigners are hardly allowed to enter anyway, this regulation primarily affects Germans and foreigners who live permanently in Germany. The health ministries of the federal states are responsible for the regulation.

The quarantine rules also affect harvest helpers , who are among the groups for whom an exception is made in the entry ban . As has now become known, the first harvest helpers are to be flown to Germany on Thursday . The workers come with special flights from the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings - two landings at Düsseldorf Airport and one at Berlin Schönefeld Airport have been confirmed so far. Flights are also expected in Karlsruhe on the following days. How many people will enter the country is not yet known.

Corona crisis in Germany: Members of the Bundestag could forego an increase in diet

Update 17:22: In response to the Corona crisis, there are considerations in the Bundestag to forego the annual diet increase . According to a report by the ARD capital's studio on Tuesday, the left, FDP and Greens are signaling their approval, the CDU / CSU and SPD were still hesitant, but now also ready to talk, as Merkur.de * explains.

"We need an agreement between the parliamentary groups, a decision in the Bundestag and no race for who first proposed it," emphasized the first parliamentary manager of the Green Group, Britta Haßelmann . "We are open to that, you have to discuss that in the Council of Elders of Parliament," said FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Lindner .

The MP's compensation is based on the income of federal judges. It is automatically adjusted annually to the wage development of the previous year. Since the so-called nominal wage index rose by 2.6 percent last year, according to the ARD report, diets would also increase by this amount - from the current 10,083 euros per month to 10,345 euros .

Given the financial losses for many employees and companies as a result of the Corona crisis, this increase appears to be inappropriate for many MEPs. Suspending "would be a nice sign that this challenge can only be mastered together," said the CDU / CSU Group's first parliamentary director, Michael Grosse-Brömer .

Coronavirus in Germany: Federal government could allow longer working hours across the country

Update, 1:15 p.m .: In many federal states, working time regulations for certain jobs have already been relaxed due to the Corona crisis. The federal government is now planning to create a “nationwide framework” for this. The Federal Ministry of Labor announced that an ordinance should be issued in a timely manner. According to the Working Hours Act, this is permitted "in epidemic situations of national importance". However, only for a limited time.

The planned regulation should apply until the end of June. According to the Ministry of Activities, the current regulations can be relaxed because these innovations "are necessary because of the Covid 19 epidemic to maintain public security and order, health and nursing care, public services or to provide the population with essential goods" .

It is about exceptions to maximum working hours and minimum rest periods . The daily rest period could be reduced from eleven to nine hours. While certain working time regulations are being relaxed, extremely strict rules currently apply to Germans' leisure activities. Experts are now debating whether the state may be going too far with the current corona regulations.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn and Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann informed about the corona crisis. " Corona knows no national borders and no party borders - we feel how important cooperation is at all levels," emphasized Spahn . Spahn further warned against the recent drop in the rate of new infections: "We must not weigh ourselves in the wrong safety. The situation is serious."

Corona crisis in Germany: federal government approves innovation in voluntary service

Update, 12.10 p.m .: Family Minister Franziska Giffey ( SPD ) presented a new online platform today (April 7). If you are currently doing a volunteer service and have to stay at home because of the Corona crisis , you can find another location on the website “Volunteers help now”.

According to Giffey , people who are currently completing the federal voluntary service , a voluntary social year or a voluntary ecological year in a facility that is temporarily closed can register there. Aid agencies looking for support can also come forward - it is an " offer to bring people together," said the Minister of Family Affairs .

With the exception of Saxony and Thuringia, all federal states and the federal government allow volunteers to temporarily change their place of work . Around 25,000 of them are already working in the health and care sector , where demand is currently particularly high, according to Giffey. Others could not do their job at the moment, but wanted to help. She emphasized that the offer was voluntary and security was given - everyone would continue to be paid pocket money. Those who are not in a year of service but still want to help can register on the “Help Now” platform, Giffey continued.

Altmaier (CDU) talks about easing coronavirus measures in Germany

Update, April 7, 9:38 a.m .: Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier ( CDU ) has warned the production of protective equipment for medical personnel by German companies. "Now we have to make sure that companies in Germany start to produce, and not at some point, but very soon," he said in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin". Altmaier also reaffirmed Chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) plan to reduce dependence on international markets for these products.

In the ZDF “Morgenmagazin” Altmaier also warned against being put under pressure in the debate about a possible relaxation of the corona protective measures after Easter. The federal government would "keep his nerve" and then decide whether the measures would be relaxed if the data base allowed a decision, Altmaier continued. "That is not the case now."

In Bavaria meanwhile, Prime Minister Markus Söder will be informing you today on Tuesday (April 7) in a press conference, which you can follow here in the live stream and live ticker. Among other things, the conference could talk about a Corona bonus for nurses.

Germany and the Coronavirus - Merkel emphasizes: health has priority

Update 16:53: A conclusion of the Chancellor press conference: Angela Merkel clearly emphasizes the priority of health in dealing with the Corona crisis , but also assures the citizens of their thanks and the will to remove the hard restrictions - as soon as the situation of the pandemic allow. Even then you will have to continue living with the virus, the Chancellor is already dampening hopes of a return to normal.

For the time being, the Germans have to do without concrete data and plans relating to an exit strategy . Merkel was openly open to a rethinking of mask requirements .

Another large part of her speech was devoted to the importance of the EU in the crisis and the declared will to strengthen the European Union. In the southern European countries in particular, Merkel's explanations will be noted with disappointment: the Chancellor completely ignored the controversial issue of euro or corona bonds - and it is certainly not by accident.

Update 4:50 pm: "As soon as the health situation subsides, we will of course return to the free life as we know it," Angela Merkel emphasizes when asked - that is "no question at all". "Do not think that as a politician it is easy for me to have to order something like this with others." With this affirmation, the Chancellor ends the press conference.

Merkel has now received a lot of praise for her prudence from the USA of all places - the New York Times mentioned her in an article.

Germany in the corona crisis: Merkel thanks the population - and indicates a tendency towards mask duty

Update, 4.45 p.m .: Merkel also expressly thanks those in the population who "engage in these tough measures" - this is especially true now that the spring weather is beginning.

With regard to the debate about the obligation to wear a mask , the Chancellor said that science had initially advised against. But now "the opinion of the experts is also changing - and we will not oppose it". In any case, Merkel warns that if there is a possible obligation for “everyday masks”, the recommendations of the doctors - such as not wearing them too long and washing and heating them - should be observed.

Merkel emphasizes again: The case numbers showed "that we have made a step forward", but it was not time "to give the all-clear - no virologist tells us that either".

Corona crisis: "Austria has always been a step ahead of us" - Merkel has put off with a view to the exit plan for the time being

Update, 4:40 pm: "We would be a bad federal government if we didn't think hard about how we could start life up again, even if health protection was adhered to," says Angela Merkel , referring to a possible exit plan . "But we would also be a bad federal government if we now give a specific date."

"Austria was always a step ahead of us," Merkel emphasizes. Germany must draw its own conclusions based on its own numbers.

It is already clear, however, that health protection will always be in the foreground even when public life opens up: "We continue to live in the pandemic." When drawing up a plan, doctors, sociologists and economists would have to be consulted. "We cannot yet tell them what conclusions we will draw from this, but it will be a step-by-step approach." In any case, no concrete plan has yet been decided.

Corona crisis: Angela Merkel wants to strengthen the EU - Chancellor does not address corona bonds

Update, 4:30 p.m .: The EU is facing the greatest test since its foundation, the Chancellor continues - all countries are equally affected. Therefore, everyone must be interested in Europe being strong in this test. Germany would only be able to do well in the long run if Europe did well.

Merkel names the European Protection Mechanism ESM as concrete means of action. The corona pandemic is tantamount to a natural disaster, so the EU could also release further loans. 100 billion euros have already been earmarked. A recovery program, a “reconstruction program” was also necessary at the European level after the crisis - Germany was ready to do its part. Climate protection and digitization should be considered when the worst part of the medical crisis has been overcome.

Merkel does not address the controversial euro or corona bonds.

Loosening or tightening of the measures? Merkel announces Corona plans - now live

Update, 4:25 p.m .: Now Angela Merkel speaks in Berlin. An important lesson from the pandemic is the need for in- house production of medical protective equipment , the Chancellor emphasizes.

In a second point, Merkel says that the free travel of commuters must still be guaranteed - but protection should still be provided. This will be discussed this week. Restrictions on entry and domestic quarantine for travelers will generally be necessary in future without being restricted to certain risk areas , explains the Chancellor. One of the reasons is that, given the spread of the coronavirus around the world, the Robert Koch Institute will no longer designate such areas in the future.

Third, Merkel refers to the plans already announced for another loan program.

Update, 16:13: Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) wants to appear in the press in a few minutes - news from the Corona cabinet of the federal government are expected. A few hours after Austria announced a schedule to exit the shutdown, no similarly concrete announcements are to be expected. According to government spokesman Steffen Seibert, Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans has now emphasized this. Saarland is one of the federal states with the most regimented measures.

"This does not put us under any pressure," said the CDU politician to the editorial network in Germany with a view to the statement by Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP). “Everyone has to make their decisions based on their own data. Our infection numbers currently do not give a quick prospect of easing. ”The agreed schedule, Hans explained: On Tuesday after Easter (April 14), the Prime Ministers want to discuss with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) how to proceed.

Corona plan for Germany: Federal government relies on new app

Update, 2:34 p.m .: The federal government assumes that the development and voluntary use of a stop corona app can make a decisive contribution to reducing the number of new infections . A corresponding application for smartphones is a "very central component" if you want to reduce the infection rate, said government spokesman Steffen Seibert. The German app should be compatible with software applications in other European countries and be available for download in the next few days or weeks.

The aim of the app is to quickly and anonymously inform as many contacts as possible of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus about their risk. So far, information is available about employees of the health authorities. These endeavor to reach all contact persons whom the infected person remembers.

Seibert said that data protection requirements would definitely be observed when developing the app , which was tested with Bundeswehr soldiers in Berlin last week. There is a broad political consensus on the use of an app that works via Bluetooth and does not pass on location data to government agencies.

Corona exit plan for Germany: Merkel cabinet advises measures - No deadline yet

Update, 2:14 p.m .: The German federal government continues to maintain that there are currently no deadlines for reducing the restrictions. Government spokesman Steffen Seibert confirmed on Monday (April 6) the recent statements by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) that she could not yet name such a deadline and that this would also be irresponsible in the current situation.

Merkel's Corona Exit Plan for Germany:

Update of April 6, 1:25 p.m .: How is the federal government continuing to deal with the corona crisis? Angela Merkel has already decided with the Crisis Cabinet on further measures regarding entry requirements and economic aid (see below). But it could be really interesting at 4.30 p.m. Then Merkel speaks in a press conference. It may then give an outlook of how Germany will exit current measures such as the ban on contacts.

The picture meanwhile reports from a concept paper of the Interior Ministry for the Corona - Measures - Exit . According to the plan, the retail and restaurants as well as certain other businesses should be reopened first without major customer contact. Schools should also reopen in certain regions. Large events and private celebrations should remain prohibited for the time being.

However, according to the report, a prerequisite for easing the measures must be fulfilled: the infection rate must remain below one. This means that a person infected with corona infects less than another person. This is currently not the case.

In addition, there should also be a mask requirement * in Germany. In buses, trains, factories and buildings, breathing masks should be mandatory.

Merkel advises with Corona Cabinet on tightening measures: First plans leaked

Update from April 6, 12:05 p.m .: Germans, EU citizens or people who have lived in Germany for many years and who return to the Federal Republic after a stay of several days abroad should in future be quarantined for two weeks. The so-called Corona crisis cabinet recommended the federal states on Monday, according to information from the German Press Agency.

Due to the corona pandemic, travelers are only allowed to come to Germany for a "valid reason". In principle, entries from third countries are only permitted in selected cases, and travelers are checked at the German Schengen external borders. Except for EU citizens or people who have lived in Germany for many years, there are exceptions for medical staff, commuters, diplomats and other groups of people.

No quarantine will be ordered for commuters, business travelers and service technicians who have to enter or leave the country for a few days, the decision continues. The same applies to people who would have to transport people, goods and goods across borders, by road, rail, ship or plane, as well as travelers in transit on the way to the country of their permanent residence.

In Austria, on the other hand, Chancellor Kurz announced a plan to relax the measures - but he expanded the requirement to wear a mask.

Merkel advises with Corona Cabinet on tightening measures: First plans leaked

First report from April 6th:

Berlin - The corona virus is spreading even more in Germany . The number of infected people * has now risen to more than 100,000. Chancellor Angela Merkel * will consult with the crisis cabinet on Monday on how to proceed.

The Federal Ministers who are particularly concerned with crisis management during the pandemic are currently exchanging information twice a week in the Corona Cabinet.

Corona cabinet around Merkel advises on further measures

A major topic on the agenda of the meeting will be a proposal by Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU). He calls for stricter border controls to be extended to crossings to other neighboring countries . In addition, the round should be about Seehofer's proposal to introduce a quarantine obligation for all travelers * by air . That could then, among other things, thwart the plans of the Thai king *.

Since March 16, only people who have good reason, such as commuters, are allowed to enter the borders with Austria, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark. The Ministry of the Interior now wants to introduce strict entry requirements for the borders to Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as at the airports.

Chancellor #Merkel: We will experience a completely different Easter time than ever before. It is too early to relax the strict rules again.

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Further corona measures: new economic package to come

The FDP warned of this step last weekend. "Stricter border controls are the wrong way to go," said Stephan Thomae, deputy chairman of the FDP parliamentary group in the German press agency in Berlin. "The virus does not stop at the borders, but hinders the important goods traffic and ensures kilometers of traffic jams at the borders."

The Corona Cabinet meeting also deals with economic measures. The German press agency learned from government circles that the Corona cabinet wanted to adopt an additional loan program on Monday. It's about improvements in credit terms. Companies are to be covered with 100 percent state liability for a limited time. The additional aid is intended to benefit especially the middle class.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder recently also spoke in favor of nationwide tax cuts due to the Corona crisis. Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz now objected to "Anne Will". *

Austria already has it, the obligation to wear a mask. But does it also come in Germany? *

The EU cannot agree on a package worth billions. A travel company, on the other hand, receives a loan. An overview of all Corona business reports.

rjs / dpa

* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digitla editorial network.

Rubric list image: © AFP / JOHN MACDOUGALL