Hubert Aiwanger calls for the corona measures to be relaxed.
Markus Söder asks to hold out even further.
The CSU boss is meanwhile considering easing the contact restrictions.
Bavaria is in corona lockdown until March 7th. * Munich has a seven-day incidence * below the limit of 35 (see initial report).
According to a media report, there was a corona outbreak at Stadtsparkasse München - probably with the highly contagious British mutation. * (See update from February 16, 7:12 p.m.).
Markus Söder holds out the prospect of loosening up contacts (see update from February 17, 12:38 p.m.), Hubert Aiwanger goes one step further (see 12.11 p.m.).
This news ticker is updated regularly.
Update from February 17, 12:38 p.m
.: Markus Söder has promised a relaxation of the contact
restrictions
with stable lower corona numbers.
If the numbers remained stable, more contacts could be allowed "soon", for example with two households or again with more children, said Söder in his Ash Wednesday speech.
However, he does not want new incidence limits beyond thresholds 35 and 50.
You don't have to take new numbers and you don't have to constantly change the numbers.
The more stable you keep the incidence figures, the more will be possible.
Corona in Bavaria: Söder slows down, Aiwanger accelerates the pace for tourism - "By Easter at the latest ..."
Update from February 17, 12.11 p.m
.: Prime Minister Markus Söder has continued to
urge
people to participate in the fight against Corona.
“Please hold out,” said the CSU boss in his Ash Wednesday speech.
We have achieved a lot together.
"It is getting better every day." Söder described the previous anti-corona measures as having no alternative.
Every other concept has failed, he said with a view to many other countries.
The pandemic is a test.
"We will pass this test, we will not break on this test."
Söder calls for "perseverance" in the fight against Corona - Aiwanger calls for relaxation
While Söder asks to hold out, Minister of Economics Hubert Aiwanger demands that the corona restrictions for companies have to be largely lifted in the next one and a half months.
At the political Ash Wednesday of the Free Voters in Deggendorf, he demanded that the hotels be reopened by the beginning of April.
The shops should be allowed to open again beforehand.
The perspective for the companies must be "that we have to give tourism a chance by Easter at the latest, that we have to give retail a chance well in advance," said Aiwanger.
It is incomprehensible that supermarkets with entrance restrictions and mask requirements are allowed to sell flowers, fashion and shoes, but specialty shops are not.
The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs emphasized that ways would have to be found with an “acceptable residual risk” so that the economy, society and social contacts are not damaged too much.
Ash Wednesday - nasty corona comparison with Söder: "He talks during the whole trip ..."
Update from February 17, 10:42 a.m.:
The leader of the Greens in the Bavarian state parliament, Katharina Schulze, sharply attacked Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder for his Corona policy.
"This pandemic sometimes seems to me like a very, very long drive in the direction of normal life, with the known passengers," said Schulze at the Bavarian Greens' digital political Ash Wednesday in Munich.
Söder compared her to the driver.
"Above all, Markus Söder is loud and omnipresent," said Schulze.
“He talks during the whole journey, he determines the radio program.” Sometimes he turns the heating up, sometimes down, he even tells the navigation device “where to go”.
However, he did not make the preparations for the long journey properly, said Schulze.
Even after a year of pandemic, the health authorities are still not properly equipped.
In addition, there is no perspective plan, says Schulze.
After criticizing Söder: Schulze also attacked Aiwanger on political Ash Wednesday
Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger also received sharp criticism.
Schulze compared him to a Quengler, who knew that the journey would take, but who was still constantly asking when one would finally arrive.
"He should do his job as Minister of Economic Affairs." Aiwanger must ensure that the Corona aid reaches people quickly and unbureaucratically.
Meanwhile, the free voters are calling for further relaxation of protective measures in Bavaria's corona policy.
"We must not protect Bavaria to death in permanent lockdown," said General Secretary Susann Enders on Wednesday in her speech at political Ash Wednesday in Deggendorf.
Further relaxations are part of the solution and not part of the problem when the number of infections falls.
"Easing is our duty," stressed Enders.
Otherwise, even more companies in the Free State could experience irreparable damage.
Nonetheless, she emphasized that easing should not be rushed either.
Corona in Bavaria: Number of new infections continues to fall - incidence at 54.4
Update from February 17, 7.30 a.m.:
The number of new infections with the corona virus in Bavaria continues to decrease.
The Robert Koch Institute stated the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week on Ash Wednesday for the Free State with 54.5 in the national average.
A total of 1,021 new infections were counted in Bavaria within 24 hours, plus 76 registered deaths.
The district of Tirschenreuth continues to show the highest incidence with 294.3 - Tirschenreuth, located on the Czech border, is thus also at the top nationwide, ahead of the neighboring district of Wunsiedel in Upper Franconia (256).
The city of Hof is also above the 200 limit with 211.7.
At the positive end of the scale, 23 districts and urban districts are now below the mark of 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days.
The city of Schweinfurt is also the frontrunner nationwide with an incidence of only 5.6.
Corona in Bavaria: Mutated variant discovered in Munich Sparkasse employees
Update from February 16, 7:12 p.m.:
According to a report by the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
, the Stadtsparkasse Munich had an outbreak of the coronavirus mutation B.1.1.7.
Of the total of 210 employees in the media sales department, 21 employees were infected, at least six of them suspected of the British virus variant.
There is still no confirmation by genome sequencing.
According to the Sparkasse, there are also six more infections in other departments; there was no information about the variant of the virus.
According to the health department, another 18 people were infected in the private environment of the employees, 13 of them with suspected British mutation.
Munich now under the important corona limit value: Mayor Reiter with clear recommendation for Söder and Merkel
Update from February 16, 4:10 p.m.:
Is the corona lockdown in Bavaria having an effect?
The Free State is both front runner and bottom in Germany - with the highest and lowest incidence values nationwide.
With 309.5 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week, Tirschenreuth continues to have the most new corona infections, as the figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Tuesday (February 16) show.
The Lower Franconian city of Schweinfurt, on the other hand, has the lowest value in the whole of Germany with 5.6 new infections.
The city of Schweinfurt reacted with the first easing and wants to lift the mask requirement in the city center from Wednesday (February 17).
However, one should enjoy the falling numbers with caution, emphasized a spokeswoman.
An early opening of the retail trade would not be an option.
"That would be fatal," she said.
The risk of provoking “shopping tourism” is too great.
According to Tirschenreuth, the highest incidence values in Bavaria are in Wunsiedel (236.7) and the city of Hof (207.3).
In the state capital Munich, the seven-day incidence was below 40 for the fourth day in a row.
Corona in Bavaria: Video conference with Merkel and Söder planned - "Very good offer"
Update from February 16, 12.15 p.m.:
Chancellor Angela Merkel * wants to take part in a video conference with Prime Minister Markus Söder and all Bavarian district administrators and mayors this Friday.
The focus should be on the further fight against Corona.
The CSU boss Söder announced on Tuesday.
"It's about discussing the current situation, the situation of the mutations and how things can go on," he told the German Press Agency in Munich.
“It is a very good offer from the Chancellor to have such a conversation.
The Chancellor also shows an open ear for the grassroots. ”Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU *) will also take part.
On the one hand, district administrators and mayors should learn firsthand how Merkel assesses the situation, how she currently sees the danger posed by the virus mutations and what further developments in the fight against the virus could look like.
"That then gives a pan-German perspective, on the basis of which one can also make a corresponding assessment," said Söder.
Corona crisis in Bavaria: Merkel and Spahn take part in a video conference with Söder and Bavarian OBs
On the other hand, it should also be about specific needs and problems of the municipalities, they say.
“What else do you need there?
What else can the federal government do to strengthen the municipalities?
What about the digital interfaces at the health authorities, what is the situation with hospital care?
Those are the things that take place in the municipalities, ”said Söder.
The discussion could also be about possible further support from the Bundeswehr.
In his own words, Bavaria's Prime Minister expects an open debate - especially since there are some district administrators who are pushing for the lockdown to be relaxed more quickly.
"It should be an open exchange of views," he said.
“After all, it goes without saying that all opinions must be weighted.” He does not see an attack if someone has different opinions.
“It is logical that someone who has lower incidence values in his area naturally wants more freedom than someone with higher values.
But you have to weigh everything up and bring it into an overall concept.
There is always a weighing process, and it always goes in steps. "
Corona in Bavaria: Hubert Aiwanger on economic aid
Munich now under the important corona limit value: Mayor Reiter with clear recommendation for Söder and Merkel
First report from February 16, 9:14 a.m
.: Munich - The seven-day incidence in Bavaria has continued to decrease in the past few days.
In the state capital, it has now fallen below an important limit.
According to current figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI *), the value for Munich is now 34.4 * (as of February 16) and thus below the important target of 35. This number was used as a guide for further easing of the Corona * -Measures issued.
According to the RKI, the value across Germany is 58.7.
Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter had already commented on the falling incidence on Monday: "If the trend continues and the number of new infections remains stable, you have to think about further easing." He had already last week in a conversation with Prime Minister Söder talked about a possible opening strategy.
It should be about the opening of the retail trade, gastronomy or cultural institutions and in popular sports.
Should the numbers continue to decline so significantly - as is currently the case in Munich - opening steps "urgently need to be placed on the agenda of the next Prime Minister's Conference in early March," said Reiter.
Germany's corona hotspot is in Bavaria: four districts and cities in the top 10
Germany's Corona * hotspot is still in Bavaria: The Tirschenreuth district is still in first place with an incidence of 309.5. The Wunsiedel district in the Fichtel Mountains ranks third with a value of 236.7.
The city of Hof has the fifth highest incidence in Germany with 207.3.
The district of Hof is also still in the top 10 with an incidence of 168.8. All four cities and districts are on the border with the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is considered a Corona * mutation area.
Corona in Bavaria: Stricter entry rules in force since Sunday
On Sunday night, the stricter German entry rules at the borders with the Czech Republic and the Austrian state of Tyrol came into force.
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer had confirmed that strict controls would be carried out at the corresponding crossings in Bavaria and Saxony.
"Those who do not belong to one of the few exceptions cannot enter," said the CSU * politician of
Bild am Sonntag
.
The aim of the measure is to curb the introduction of coronavirus mutations * across the border.
The Interior Ministry and Prime Minister Markus Söder * announced on Sunday that the strict rules for certain commuters would be relaxed.
Accordingly, commuters who are needed to maintain the functionality of their businesses in systemically important industries are also allowed to enter.
The states of Bavaria and Saxony should therefore define companies as systemically relevant by Tuesday.
"Entry should remain possible for cross-border commuters in systemically relevant occupational sectors," said Interior Minister Seehofer.
Video - Coronavirus: Söder presents opening perspectives for Bavaria
Corona in Bavaria - Entry restrictions at the border: Police send drivers back to the border
Due to the entry restrictions and strict controls, travelers also had to be patient on Tuesday.
"We now have a queue length of 800 meters, that's around 20 minutes waiting time," said a spokesman for the Federal Police Inspection Selb in the morning.
Again and again drivers would be sent back to the Czech Republic, as the spokesman explained.
Many did not have a negative corona test result *, others lack the digital entry registration.
This has to be filled out online in advance - “the truck drivers are probably just not aware of that”.
Some commuters also have the problem that their occupations, for which they want to cross the border, are not considered systemically relevant.
At the central border crossing from Tyrol to Bavaria, however, the situation was relaxed in the morning.
"Everything is very fluid," commented a spokesman for the Rosenheim Federal Police Inspectorate on the traffic situation at the Kiefersfelden crossing.
Here too, however, the federal police had to reject individual drivers.
(came) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
"Anything but funny" - this is how a master brewer from Upper Franconia describes his situation due to the Corona policy in Bavaria.
He also directs his anger directly to Markus Söder. *
List of rubric lists: © Matthias Balk / dpa / dpa-Bildfunk