It is often the judges who have the final say when it comes to the rules in the pandemic.
Do vaccinated people still have to wear a mask?
And get tested when you want to visit a restaurant?
The Bavarian Administrative Court decides on such questions - during the pandemic it is often the decisive authority when it comes to bans or permits relating to Corona.
A visit to Ludwigstrasse.
Corona: Munich judges often decide which rules to follow
Court spokesman Jörg Singer (43) stands at the almost four meter high wooden door that leads inside.
The rooms behind: the most modern conference rooms with lots of wood.
This is where the judgments are made that determine social measures in the pandemic.
But: "We don't make the rules, we just check their legality," says Jörg Singer.
Some of the 71 judges had to deliberate on urgent applications until late at night - there have been a total of 750 since March 2020. They make up around two-thirds of the 1250 corona-related cases that the Administrative Court has dealt with since the pandemic began.
The topics: from the alcohol ban in Munich to the mask requirement in schools to the ban on demonstrations or, finally, the opening of pubs (see below).
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On the way to the corona test station: The judges often have the last word when it comes to the rules in the pandemic.
© Peter Kneffel
“The number of cases put a lot of strain on us, but at no point overtaxed us,” says Singer.
“Around 200 proceedings are still pending.
We handled the rest, practically all the urgent procedures. ”A mammoth program!
Because the corona procedures were added to everyday business.
"One and a half years ago we had to completely familiarize ourselves with a newly emerging area of law," says Singer.
Because federal laws have been passed for dealing with Corona, and there were separate regulations in the Free State.
For example, the exit restrictions in March 2020 - or the closure of the retail trade.
Finally, among other things, the gradual opening of the catering trade.
Munich: "Since Corona, regulations have come into force that encompass all areas of life"
71 judges are responsible for the judgments at the Administrative Court - twelve of them alone are spread over three senates, which mainly deal with the Corona cases.
They are technical experts for the Infection Protection Act or the right of assembly.
“Even before the pandemic, the main task of the administrative judiciary was to monitor the legality of the state's actions.
Since Corona, regulations have come into force that encompass all areas of life, "explains Singer.
Since then, administrative courts have had an immense social responsibility: their decisions shape our everyday lives like never before.
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The court has partially banned demonstrations.
© Jens Hartmann
If the VGH used to be about the approval of drugs, the lockdown was decided in autumn.
The judges also had a lot of work with demonstrations.
Because whether these can take place, after an urgent application, often has to be decided between Friday evening and Sunday morning.
"Citizens deserve a swift decision when it comes to whether or not their rights are legitimately restricted," says Singer.
“Sometimes there are only a few days or hours before the event starts.
We had the longest night shift in front of a lateral thinker demo. ”The judges sat there until 1:30 am.
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The administrative court also decides on the mask requirement and opening rules.
© Sven Hoppe / dpa
There is no heated discussion. “Committed, but matter-of-fact,” says Singer. “We only refer to the respective case.” For example, whether a shop is allowed to reopen. The judges often discussed the cases in video conferences - sometimes for days. Because for many cases there were initially no legal standards at all, and the regulations at the beginning of the pandemic changed every few weeks. Vaccinations, masks, tests: “After seeing which concepts work, things have calmed down. There are now only small readjustments. ”For example, which areas are still to be opened.
In their judgments, the judges would even have to rule against their private situation - for the benefit of society.
"Personal concern must not play a role in the consultations," says Singer.
Because the numerous Corona resolutions generally affect all citizens in Bavaria.
“This has never happened before in this concentration and density.” It is also clear that not every citizen agrees with the decisions.
"We get praise, but also unsightly letters and emails," says Singer.
But: "We deal with it professionally and don't let ourselves be influenced."
List of rubric lists: © Peter Kneffel