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Chancellor Merkel apparently wants to counter the even more contagious corona mutation from Great Britain with tightened measures
Photo: Markus Schreiber / AP
Germany may face tightened corona measures again.
In order to prevent the spread of the corona virus and other, probably even more contagious, mutations, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is apparently having, among other things, sounding out the possibilities for a nationwide suspension of local and long-distance public transport.
The "Bild" newspaper had previously reported on it.
According to SPIEGEL information, further measures are being examined in the talks between the Chancellor and her ministers.
For example, advice is given as to whether border controls must be reintroduced to protect against mutation or whether the wearing of FFP2 masks should be prescribed, as is already the case in Bavaria.
A possible regulation for the economy, according to which more employees should work in the home office, is also being discussed.
So far, however, it has only been a collection of proposals, a cabinet member told SPIEGEL.
So far, none of the measures has been decided, and some of the proposals have been rejected as unrealistic.
In any case, resolutions could not be passed without the consent of the respective country leaders.
The federal and state governments should regularly discuss further pandemic measures on January 25.
Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann had argued on Thursday for the deliberations to be brought forward.
The Chancellor is currently sounding out an earlier appointment with the Prime Ministers in telephone calls.
The heads of government of the SPD-led countries want to vote this evening.
Most recently, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also suggested a more severe shutdown.
"We absolutely have to reduce the number of cases and therefore continue to reduce our contacts," said RKI President Lothar Wieler at a press briefing on Thursday.
Wieler advocated tightening the currently applicable measures as an »option«.
Most recently, the health authorities reported 25,164 new corona infections within 24 hours.
According to the RKI, more than 1200 people died from or with the virus, a new high.
The nationwide seven-day incidence was 151.2 cases per 100,000 population.
According to the RKI, it must be assumed that the corona mutations detected in Great Britain will worsen the situation in Germany.
They are apparently much more contagious than the previous virus variant.
According to the RKI, 16 cases of the mutations have been detected in this country so far.
The new virus variants are apparently also bothering the Chancellor.
On Wednesday, she discussed in the cabinet what should happen if France does not prevent entry from Great Britain and Ireland: Then controls may have to be set up at the border with France - a far-reaching measure that one would like to prevent in this pandemic.
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