Chancellor Angela Merkel explained her corona policy on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday, the federal government retrospectively introduced a high-risk category.
Chancellor
Angela Merkel
*
(CDU *)
spoke on Thursday (January 21) in the federal press conference.
She explained why it is
important to keep the infection rate low
because of the
Corona *
mutations
(update from January 21, 11.35 a.m.).
On Friday, the RKI classified 20 countries as high-risk areas (
update from January 22nd, 8:35 p.m.
).
This
news ticker
is continuously updated.
Update from January 23, 9.21 a.m
.: After the extension and tightening of the corona measures, voices are now
stirring that are pushing
for an
end to the lockdown in mid-February
.
The vice-chairman of the Union parliamentary group,
Georg Nüßlein
, calls for the lockdown to be definitely ended after the previous time limit has expired.
"Because of the massive effects, it is not justifiable to prescribe a nationwide lockdown until the
incidence number
falls below 50 or below 35," said the CSU politician of the
Augsburger Allgemeine
(Saturday).
"If something does not happen in the next few weeks that we cannot foresee now, for example a massive spread of mutated viruses, then by mid-February at the latest we will have to take a different path than the previous one."
Also
Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer
wants to enforce easing after February 14, when it is responsible.
The CDU politician told the newspaper
Welt -
initially in schools and barbershops.
“Then in March we can talk about retail.
And after Easter also about gastronomy. ”
The opening of schools is a controversial issue.
Union faction leader Ralph Brinkhaus
warned against opening too quickly.
“We are all doing each other a disservice by allowing face-to-face lessons too early.
Health comes first, ”he told the
Passauer Neue Presse
(Saturday).
The new virus mutations made him "very worried".
Corona lockdown in Germany: the medical president calls for perspectives for the population
Medical President Klaus Reinhardt
- actually a supporter of the lockdown - demanded perspectives for the population from politics.
"It is understandable that people are tired after ten months of the pandemic and that the
Corona protective measures are
stressful," he told the
Rheinische Post
(Saturday).
The prospects also include clear communication about
vaccination capacities.
Virus mutations are of great concern.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil therefore reserves the right to extend the home office requirements for employers if necessary.
"We'll see in good time whether an extension beyond March 15 is necessary," he told the
Rheinische Post
(Saturday).
Germany is serious about travel deterrence: RKI declares 20 high-risk areas for the first time - with strict rules
Update from January 22nd, 8:35 p.m.:
Because of the particularly high number of
corona infections
, the
federal government
for the first time classified more than 20 countries as
high-risk areas
as of
Sunday
, for which slightly stricter
entry
rules
then
apply.
As the
Robert Koch Institute
announced on a website on Friday, this includes the neighboring country of the Czech Republic, the holiday countries Portugal, Spain and Egypt as well as the USA.
While previously only
areas
with very contagious
mutations
and "normal"
risk
areas were identified
, there are now also "
high incidence areas
".
These have significantly higher
numbers of infections
than
Germany
.
Travelers from "normal"
risk areas
must be
tested
for
Corona
no later than 48 hours after entering
Germany
.
They also have to be in
quarantine
for ten days
, but can be
freed from it prematurely
by a second negative
test
from day five.
The difference between the
high incidence
and virus variant areas: The test must be carried out a maximum of 48 hours before entry.
The exception rules for the
quarantine
can also be
restricted.
But that is a matter for the individual federal states.
Corona pandemic: Members of the Bundestag should contact health authorities
Update from January 21, 6:35 p.m.:
Angela Merkel
now apparently also
wants to involve the members of
the
Bundestag of
the Union faction
in the fight against the
corona pandemic
: The
Chancellor
has asked the 246 elected representatives from the
CDU
and
CSU
to themselves the situation with the
health authorities
in their constituencies elicit.
That is what the
picture
of participants in the latest group meeting should have learned.
"Maybe everyone can make a virtual visit to their health department so that we can collect some information from the base ourselves," said
Merkel
, according to the report, at the circuit on Wednesday.
After all, it is not easy "to get an overview of over 380 health authorities in Germany".
The statement is quite explosive: The
technical and personnel equipment
of the offices important for infection chain tracking
has been criticized for months
- and their networking, for example with the
Robert Koch Institute
.
Merkel apparently also suspects that the stagnant flow of information is partly due to human factors: "Who likes to admit that they are not completely under control of their work?"
The Chancellor allegedly expressed herself cautiously optimistic about the further progress of the pandemic - albeit linked with a
warning:
"Now we have to see that we are not again very close to the end of the pandemic, that we are not again shortly before get big outbreak. "
Corona in Germany: schools in focus - Giffey appeals to countries
Update January 21, 15:45:
"We will not get this infection process under control, if we now do not have these three weeks to communicate," said
Federal Minister for Family Affairs Franziska Giffey
(SPD) on Thursday after consultations of the
corona Kita Council
in Berlin.
In doing so, she made an appeal to the other federal states to stay with the agreed closure of daycare centers and schools until mid-February - and to adopt a uniform approach.
"It depends on whether we can all get into a real open perspective."
Chancellor Angela Merkel: Explanation of her current corona policy - also for schools and daycare centers
Update from January 21, 12.46 p.m.:
It was one of the rather rare sights:
Chancellor Angela Merkel
personally in the house of the Federal Press Conference.
It seemed important to her
to explain
her current
corona policy
.
Lockdown extension, bottlenecks in the corona vaccine, an EU summit in the evening - there was a lot to discuss.
So she went into how politics must weigh up between further restrictions and damage to the economy and society
(see update from January 21, 11:41 a.m.)
.
Merkel explained that, from her point of view, schools and daycare centers must first reopen when the corona numbers have fallen.
But she also took Biontech under protection
(see update from January 21, 11:57 a.m.)
.
Overall, the
Chancellor
was still cautious.
She urged that the resolutions continue to be obeyed - mainly because of the more contagious
virus mutations
.
But in view of the vaccine and the slowly falling numbers, Merkel was nevertheless hopeful and confident.
Overall, she is satisfied with her policy
(see update from January 21, 11.50 a.m.)
.
Corona: Angela Merkel explains her policy - In conversation with Russia about the vaccine
Update from January 21, 12:19 p.m.:
The journalists in the room had many more questions, but the press conference with
Angela Merkel
about the corona pandemic is now over.
Update from January 21, 12:14 p.m.:
Recently it was repeatedly heard that
Merkel is
in talks with the Russian President about the corona vaccine Sputnik V. She confirms with
Vladimir Putin *
To have talked to collaborate on the subject.
She knows that the political differences are currently very large, but still believes that cooperation is important because of the humanitarian aspect of health.
The vaccine from Russia has to be approved by the European approval authority, so Russia has now turned to Ema.
Merkel, in turn, asked the German Paul Ehrlich Institute
to support
Russia in
this.
If the
vaccine is
actually approved in Europe, one can continue to talk about the production and application.
+
Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) during the press conference on the current Corona situation in the house of the Federal Press Conference.
© Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters / Pool / dpa
Update from January 21, 12:04 p.m.:
Merkel will
speak
again at the
EU summit in
the evening.
The virus and especially the mutations from Great Britain and South Africa must be contained.
There will therefore presumably continue to be entry arrangements from these countries.
The EU must pursue the same goal, which is
to reduce
the
seven-day incidence
.
Merkel says more tests for
commuters could be
introduced.
But that shouldn't happen overnight, so that nobody can work anymore.
"We all learned something new," says Merkel.
The restriction of the free movement of goods would not be an issue.
Border controls
are briefly addressed: Merkel thinks that if a country has exponential growth and still keeps restaurants or the like open, one should think about it.
But the Chancellor does not currently see this danger - Merkel thinks that neighboring countries are also currently doing a lot to contain the virus.
She does not expect any final results for the EU summit on Thursday evening.
Chancellor Angela Merkel: Schools and daycare centers should first reopen
Update from January 21, 11:57
a.m.:
Angela Merkel
protects Biontech
from criticism.
She spoke to the boss Ugur Sahin *: "You can't imagine that, they don't have a day off."
One clearly benefits from the research of scientists today.
"What do we want to complain about now," emphasizes Merkel.
If the right time to talk about easing, says Merkel,
schools and daycare centers should
open first.
She wanted to joke briefly: "For practical reasons you have to call the hairdressers."
Meant more seriously, Merkel added that retail is of course important.
But the effects of openings of any kind had to be discussed.
Update from January 21, 11:50 a.m.:
A journalist asks whether
Merkel
regrets having run again for this legislative period.
She repeats that the decision was difficult for her at the time.
“But I don't regret this decision.” Politics has the attraction that you come to the office in the morning and don't know what the evening will look like.
But this flexible reaction is also exhausting.
Nevertheless, she is satisfied with her work: "I think that I have done the job up to now." However
, she was unable to think
about many other things besides
Corona
.
Update from January 21, 11.41 a.m.:
Chancellor
Merkel
explains
again why she continues to hope for an incidence
value
* of 50.
There is no scientific basis for this determination, but it has been calculated that on average the health authorities are able to better track contacts again.
Of course, according to Merkel, it is even better epidemiologically to come under ten.
“That would mean that tough restrictions have to be imposed.” But politics must always weigh up.
Because these measures have economic and social consequences.
A trade-off between further restrictions and contact tracking must be discussed.
Measures
must always be justified.
Angela Merkel speaks to the press: Keep an eye on the risk of mutation
Update from January 21, 11.35 a.m.:
Angela Merkel repeats the promise of her health
minister
Jens Spahn: By the end of summer every citizen should be offered a vaccination.
"I can promise you that we will do everything we can to get these
vaccines
as
quickly as possible
." And Merkel emphasizes why it is so important that the number of infections is low.
Because then the virus “doesn't think so much” about the
mutation
.
The more widespread the virus is, the more likely it is for mutations that are more dangerous.
Update from January 21, 11:26 a.m.:
The next question is again about the
corona vaccine
.
“We knew that at the beginning we would not have as much vaccine as we will now have in summer.” The decisive factor is not how much was ordered in total, but how much vaccine there is in the individual quarters.
"I do not run any production plants for vaccines," says Merkel.
You can therefore not guarantee anything, only support that the vaccine production can take place.
Update from January 21, 11:22 am: In
between a question about the new CDU chairman
Armin Laschet
: “My term of office is this, in this legislative period.
I am the Federal Chancellor and I am responsible, ”says Merkel.
But what will happen in the next four years?
"The
CDU
, together with the
CSU,
decides on this question
." Which new accents are set, Merkel would offer her advice if asked.
But decisions are made by others.
This makes the distribution of tasks clear.
Angela Merkel in the Federal Press Conference: "I appreciate this cooperation"
Update from January 21, 11:16 am:
"We have
vaccines
, we know how to find the way out of the crisis," says Merkel.
She also praises the fact that the vaccines appear to work against the mutations or can be adapted quickly.
“This is a huge research success,” emphasizes Merkel.
But many poor countries still do not have enough vaccine.
"There is a huge task ahead of us."
Update from January 21, 11.12 a.m.:
Merkel also comments on the
federal-state talks
, where it was recently leaked again that there was a dispute on certain points *.
“I appreciate this collaboration,” says Merkel nonetheless.
“Even if it is not always easy, but that is part of politics.” At this point you can tell that she is struggling to find the right words and how to express herself.
Update from January 21, 11:09 a.m.:
In the evening, Angela Merkel will once again
connect
with the
EU heads of state and government
at a video conference.
The sequencing of viruses and vaccination as well as other strategies should be more important.
Angela Merkel in the federal press conference: Merkel warns of the risk of mutations
Update from January 21st, 11:07 am:
"Our efforts are threatened with danger," says
Merkel
.
Namely the mutation of the virus *, which has already been detected in Germany.
You can still prevent the spread, says Merkel.
"There is still some time to prevent the danger of this mutated virus." Therefore, the additional measures decided on Tuesday are about precaution.
Update from January 21, 11:04 a.m.:
Angela Merkel
take the floor.
"We are in a difficult phase of the
pandemic
." She would therefore like to explain her policy.
“We can't imagine often enough what if we had waited with the measures.” For example, until the intensive care units are even fuller.
"Then it would have been too late," says Merkel.
"It is very encouraging that the current situation is starting to relax." It shows that the effort is worthwhile.
Update from January 21, 11 a.m.:
Angela Merkel has arrived at the Federal Press Conference.
The press conference begins.
Update January 21, 10:56 a.m.:
In a few minutes,
Chancellor Angela Merkel
should
appear in front of the press.
It will primarily be about the corona pandemic and the latest resolutions.
Angela Merkel at the federal press conference - EU summit, corona vaccination and lockdown are the topics
Update from January 21, 9:50 a.m.:
After the Corona meetings in her own country,
Chancellor Angela Merkel
exchanged
views
on the current
Corona situation
with the other EU heads of state and government on Thursday evening
.
Already in the press conference on Tuesday evening, she emphasized that efforts in the country will only be of use in the long term if the neighboring countries also pull along.
It sounded that if necessary border closings or the like could also be introduced.
So far, however, there is nothing concrete.
On Thursday afternoon from 11 a.m.
Merkel will
appear again in Berlin in front of the press, with the fight against the corona pandemic becoming the central topic.
According to her head of the Chancellery, Helge Braun, the Chancellor wanted to “take the citizens with her”.
She wanted to
"explain"
the strategy in view of the risk of
mutations
.
The decisive factor is that everyone “participates very consistently over the next few weeks”.
Corona crisis and lockdown: Angela Merkel appears again in front of the press
Update from January 21, 6.46 a.m
.: After the federal-state decision on a further extension and tightening of the
corona measures
,
Chancellor Angela Merkel will
answer questions from journalists in the capital today (Thursday, January 21).
Before the Corona crisis, the Chancellor was much less likely to answer questions in the house on the banks of the Spree.
Before that, she usually accepted the invitation once a year and was otherwise represented by
government spokesman Steffen Seibert
.
Today, however, she will be there in person for the fourth time since the beginning of the corona pandemic.
In a telephone conversation with the
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
, she previously commented on the press in Germany and even complained.
As Trudeau chatted up close in an address to his nation, Merkel complained "that she is criticized every day in the German media because things are not going as well as in Canada." Defended at the latest Corona summit in the Chancellery on Tuesday Merkel then already vehemently opposed criticism of her policy.
After the lockdown was extended: Merkel is already warning internally - and will appear in front of the press on Thursday
First report from January 20
: Berlin - At the latest
Corona consultations
in Berlin, Chancellor
Angela Merkel (CDU)
is said to have
become emotional - when she
encountered resistance from the federal states on
the subject of
school
closings.
A day later, however, it seems to be back on track.
One should “please do not think that when we
are
50
, the life of summer is immediately back.
Then we are immediately back to
exponential growth,
"warned Merkel on Wednesday in a video link of the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag, as the
dpa
claims to have learned.
Merkel was referring to the
7-day incidence
, which on that day was
123.5
across
Germany
.
The
federal government has set 50
as the target value for
easing
.
According to the report, Merkel said the health authorities had to be trained to re-establish
contact tracking
for
infections
.
She was quoted as saying: "Otherwise we won't get any leeway for openings."
Corona in Germany: Merkel calls the 50s incidence "pretty shaky"
If, for example, the opening was opened at an incidence of 100 or 120 in neighboring countries, it would have taken two or three weeks to return to exponential growth.
Then there are again restrictions, whereupon the infection numbers drop again.
Depending on the severity of the lockdown, one can observe whether the curves are a little steeper or less steep.
But they would repeat themselves.
Therefore, it is the Federal Government's approach to insist on creating the 50 mark or going below it, stressed Merkel after this information.
An incidence of 50 is
"still pretty shaky"
.
With qualified health authorities, you then have "a
fair chance
to make a few, but very sequenced and well-thought-out relaxations".
Lockdown tightening: Merkel appears in front of the capital's press
Merkel spoke of a very serious situation in an otherwise very hopeful time, after the incidence fell after Christmas and you had a
vaccine *
.
Now it must be ensured that in Germany, very shortly before the
"final stretch of the pandemic", there is
no another major virus outbreak.
On Thursday from 11 a.m. onwards, Merkel will
explain
herself at the
federal press
conference and answer journalists' questions.
We will then report continuously at this point in a news ticker.
(
AFP / dpa / frs
)
* Merkur.de is part of the Ippen digital network.
List of rubric lists: © Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters / Pool / dpa