Corona tests: Prime Minister Dreyer wants to include return travelers to the costs

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Country manager Dreyer: "Cozy events in crowded halls, that won't happen this time"

In the coming week, the heads of government of the federal states want to connect with Chancellor Angela Merkel for the first time after the summer break in order to discuss the increasing number of infections and measures against the corona pandemic. The Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) also wants to talk about uniform regulations for fines and the number of participants at major events.

SPIEGEL: What do you expect from the conference of prime ministers with the chancellor?

Dreyer: The number of corona infections is rising again as much as it was last in April. That is why we must now discuss together what to do and how to proceed. The number of infections has also risen again in Rhineland-Palatinate. We have now had over a hundred cases a day several times in a row. This shows that it is not now the time to announce further easing, but to do everything possible to reduce the number of infections again. Politicians must send this clear signal.

SPIEGEL: So are you concerned with tightening regulations?

Dreyer: First of all, it's about looking at where we have a confusing variety of different regulations that hardly anyone understands. For example, the fines for breaches of hygiene regulations: If someone drives across a state border on the train without an everyday mask, for example from Rhineland-Palatinate to Saarland, the amount of the fine depends on the federal state in which they are checked. You can't explain that to anyone. I hope that we will succeed in finding a uniform regulation so that a fraction or a multiple of what you would have to pay just a few kilometers away at the next train station is no longer due in one federal state. 

SPIEGEL: There are also very different regulations in the various countries about the maximum number of people allowed to participate in major events. In Brandenburg 1000 people are allowed in one place, in Bavaria only 100.

Dreyer: We have very different numbers of infections in different countries. They are by far the highest in Bavaria, which is why we have found tailor-made solutions in the federal states. But again: We are now in a different phase again. We must do everything we can to prevent a second lockdown. It is quite confusing for people with different regulations in very basic things. I wish that we at least get closer. That does not mean that in individual cases the conditions and the infection situation on site are not taken into account when approving events. But at large events or sporting events it is helpful if there was a uniform maximum limit for all federal states.

"Cozy events in crowded halls, that won't happen this time."

SPIEGEL: What do you think of the proposal to cancel the carnival this year?

Dreyer: I don't think that a blanket cancellation is necessary today. But one thing is also clear: Carnival as we know it, with cozy events in crowded halls, will not happen this time. We, the state government in Rhineland-Palatinate, have spoken intensively with the representatives of the municipal associations about events that are part of custom, such as Christmas markets in addition to Mardi Gras or Carnival. We agree that new concepts have to be developed so that this custom may possibly be possible under the conditions of the corona pandemic, always adapted to the current infection numbers.  

SPIEGEL: In your opinion, which topics still need to be addressed at the conference? 

Dreyer: From my point of view, we also have to talk about traveling to risk areas. The summer holidays are not over in all federal states, in others the autumn holidays will start soon. There is a huge lack of understanding among the population that despite the increased number of infections, some people continue to drive to risk areas to go on vacation there. We must consider whether returnees cannot be made more accountable in future if they endanger themselves and other people as a result. At least those who set off for a risk area despite the travel warning should be included in the costs of the tests.