Spahn sees little chance of partying in the winter months

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Federal Health Minister Spahn: "This virus has very long skid marks"

Photo: TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn also expects severe restrictions due to the corona pandemic beyond the current measures in November.

"We have to manage together to get through this winter overall with lower numbers at a lower level," said the CDU politician on rbb information radio with a view to the infection numbers.

He does not see events with more than 10 to 15 people such as Christmas parties or other socializing "this winter", said Spahn.

If the number of infections should decrease, "that doesn't mean that from December or January things can really start again everywhere with wedding parties or Christmas parties as if nothing had happened".

The situation demands patience: "This virus has very long skid marks."

Spahn called plans for early Christmas holidays like in North Rhine-Westphalia "a pragmatic approach that can be discussed and taken".

Spahn did not want to make a recommendation, that was a matter for the country, also with a view to the respective infection situation.

Earlier winter holidays in NRW - and possibly also in Baden-Württemberg

North Rhine-Westphalia announced on Wednesday that it wanted to bring the winter holidays forward by two days.

The last day of school is therefore not December 22nd but already December 18th.

Baden-Württemberg's minister of education, Susanne Eisenmann (CDU), wants to make the decision the responsibility of the schools and calls on them to extend the Christmas holidays by two days forward with flexible holidays.

"That is certainly a smart approach, for which there is a lot," said Eisenmann of the "Südwest Presse".

There is probably no uniform line in the state.

"Please urgently not travel at Christmas"

Eisenmann advised families against using the time until the end of the holiday in January for a vacation.

"I urge you not to travel at Christmas, but to stay at home," said the CDU's top candidate for the 2021 state election.

"What is very important to me is that parents, children, teachers and educators can plan," said Health Minister Spahn.

The spring, with facilities closed for months, when nobody knew exactly when they would open again, was "a real, hard burden for everyone".

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fek / dpa