Corona surprise in Bavaria: Söder government announces easing for numerous areas

Created: 01/26/2022 05:41

By: Katarina Amtmann, Tanja Kipke

Markus Söder announced relaxation of the corona rules for Bavaria.

Today the cabinet decided.

In sports and culture there are "reliefs".

• Markus Söder announced easing for the Free State.

• The Bavarian cabinet decided to ease the rules in the areas of sport and culture

  (see update 13.03).

• This ticker is updated regularly.

• By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria.

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Update from January 25, 1:03 p.m .:

The Bavarian cabinet has announced easing for the Free State in some areas.

As already announced, the capacity limit for events will be raised from 25 percent to 50 percent from Thursday.

Since every organizer should have this opportunity, the minimum distance of 1.5 meters no longer has to be maintained if the premises do not allow it.

In addition, only the 3G rule will apply to youth work, master courses and driving schools in the future.

The biggest surprise is probably the end of the ghost games.

For national events, a capacity utilization of 25 percent is now possible again.

However, the upper limit is 10,000 viewers.

In addition to the rule simplifications that have been decided, the cabinet will probably also decide to end the Luca app.

That should be announced in the course of the day, our editors learned from circles in the Council of Ministers.

The press conference after the cabinet meeting for reading

Update 12:58 p.m .:

It is not yet possible to know when the current measures will no longer be needed, says Herrmann.

There will probably be no further easing for the time being.

This concludes the press conference.

Update 12.40 p.m .:

A journalist wants to know why Söder is “not answering questions” at today’s press conference.

One reason is that no fundamental changes have been decided, says Herrmann.

In addition, the Prime Minister is in a meeting before the afternoon session of the state parliament.

Regarding the national events, Herrmann says that one is in constant contact with those affected.

First and foremost, don't think of FC Bayern, but of those clubs in other sports, such as ice hockey and handball, that also travel nationally.

These are significantly more dependent on viewer income.

"We stuck to the line of ghost games for a long time," says Herrmann.

Others would have allowed spectators the whole time.

Update 12.30 p.m .:

Holetschek would be happy if general vaccination was initiated.

The facility-related vaccination requirement should not be a “special sacrifice” for nursing staff.

Solidarity is required here.

A journalist asks how exactly it can be implemented that the distance no longer has to be maintained in the art and culture sector.

Herrmann says: “Every organizer should have the opportunity to increase capacity from 25 to 50 percent.” Even if the distance cannot be maintained.

According to Herrmann, the FFP2 mask on the pitch still provides a high level of protection.

Holetschek: "Omicron shows a milder clinical picture"

Update 12:23 p.m .:

Finally, Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek has the floor.

"Adapt and watch out" is now important.

"We are still a bit in the fog," warns the Minister of Health.

We still don't know much about Omikron.

However, it is clear that there is a “certain decoupling” between new infections and hospitalization.

Omikron depicts a "lighter clinical picture".

The risk of hospitalization decreases by 52-70 percent.

There is also a low rate of ventilation and a shorter length of stay in hospital, according to Holetschek.

One will not neglect the "watching out".

On the subject of PCR, he says: "The prioritization of the tests will come".

However, the scope has been increased in Bavaria.

The federal government is now required to see how capacities can be increased.

Update 12:17 p.m .:

Minister of Education Michael Piazolo is now speaking.

"We think the adjustments are right," says the minister.

The simplifications have been corrected.

Pupils are tested intensively and therefore the 3G rule is sufficient for youth work or in driving schools.

Corona is showing its effect in schools, and they still want to hold on to face-to-face teaching.

The quarantine regulations are always made by the health department and not by the school itself, Piazolo makes it clear.

The test capacity was increased again after a quarantine at primary schools.

93 percent of the schools in Bavaria are in full attendance.

Söder government loosens numerous areas in Bavaria

Update 12.13 p.m .:

In the art and culture sector, with a capacity utilization of 50 percent, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters no longer has to be maintained.

Update 12.05 p.m .:

Bavaria has made “clear progress” with the booster vaccinations.

People can be boosted, says Herrmann happily.

The risk of becoming infected at Omikron is higher than ever before, and at the same time the probability of a severe course has never been so low.

The guiding principle is still “caution with caution”.

No fundamental changes were decided at the cabinet meeting.

The 2G rule in retail no longer applies, and nothing will change that.

The suspension of the hotspot rule will also remain in place, according to Herrmann.

However, the following “simplifications” will be made in the regulation on Thursday: 3G will apply again in youth work with immediate effect.

In addition, 3G will also be introduced in the area of ​​examinations, master courses and driving schools.

As already announced, capacities in art and culture will be increased. From 25 percent of utilization to 50 percent. This also applies to sporting events and all other events that were previously limited to 25 percent. For major national events, such as the Bundesliga, 25 percent of the capacity will be made possible. Previously, the games took place without spectators. However, there will be a maximum of 10,000 spectators in the stadiums.

Update from January 25, 12 noon:

The press conference starts on time. Head of the State Chancellery Florian Herrmann is the first to speak. The focus of the cabinet meeting was the assessment of the corona situation, according to the minister. "The omicron wave rolls, leading to peak incidences". In Bavaria there is an incidence of 984 today. Over 30 districts in the Free State now have an incidence of over 1000. Herrmann speaks of a “rapid increase”. The wave had arrived in the hospitals, but not yet in the intensive care units. Hospitalization has increased, while the number of intensive care beds has decreased.

Update from January 25, 11:24 a.m .:

The Bavarian cabinet has been meeting since nine o’clock.

Among other things, more spectators in sports and culture will be debated.

Söder argued on Monday evening on

television: "The majority of the federal states, if we think of football, for example, have spectators all the time, sometimes many." It's about football, but also about ice hockey, handball or basketball.

"Some of the clubs may be on the verge of existential threats," said Söder.

That's why you have to find a "reasonable way" here.

There will be a press conference at 12 noon.

You can follow them live here in the ticker and stream.

Corona numbers in Bavaria continue to rise

Update from January 25, 7.45 a.m .:

The number of new infections registered in Bavaria continues to skyrocket.

The health authorities reported 20,681 new infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within 24 hours, after 14,850 on Monday.

The seven-day incidence rose to 984.1 on Tuesday, as the RKI announced on its dashboard.

30 counties and independent cities were already above an incidence of 1000 on Tuesday.

The Dachau district had the highest seven-day incidence in Bavaria on Tuesday with 1790.3, followed by the city of Munich with 1581.9 and the Erding district with 1393.9.

The district of Aschaffenburg is currently the most favorable with 340.1, followed by the districts of Kronach (352.6) and Coburg (383.5).

The number of corona patients in intensive care units also rose again slightly.

The Divi intensive care register reported 336 corona patients in intensive care units in the Free State on Tuesday (as of 7.15 a.m.), that is 6 more than on Monday.

However, a week ago, 399 corona intensive care patients were still being treated.

Despite the increasing numbers, the cabinet meeting this Tuesday is about easing.

There will be a press conference at 12 noon (see first report).

Already announced by Söder: Are long-awaited relaxations for Bavaria coming today?

press conference at noon

First report from January 25, 6:37 a.m .:

Munich – more spectators for sport and culture – the Bavarian cabinet around Markus Söder now wants to implement this announcement.

However, many details are still open.

Söder cabinet meets to relax corona - more viewers under 2G-Plus?

From 9 a.m. on Tuesday (January 25), the cabinet wants to discuss and decide on relaxation for sporting and cultural events in the Free State.

After the federal and state consultations on Monday evening, Prime Minister Söder announced again that he wanted to allow more viewers in both areas - each under 2G plus conditions and with a mask requirement.

In theatres, cinemas and other cultural events, 50 percent instead of 25 spectator capacity will probably be allowed again.

And in sport, there are high hopes for an end to ghost games in professional leagues.

The CSU boss had not said anything about which sports events he wanted to relax and with how many spectators.

In addition, the access rules for youth work offers are to be relaxed.

television on Monday evening: “ The

majority of the federal states, if we think of football, for example, have spectators all the time, sometimes many.” In addition to football, it is also about ice hockey, handball or basketball.

"Some of the clubs may be on the verge of existential threats," said Söder.

That's why you have to find a "reasonable way" here.

Because of Omikron: Söder justifies the possibility of easing

Söder justifies the possibility of easing despite the massive increase in the number of new infections by saying that the Omicron wave is far less of a burden on the health system than the Delta variant before it.

The current Bavarian Corona Ordinance states, following a federal and state decision from December: “Spectators are not admitted to large national sports, cultural and comparable events.” For all other events, a maximum of 25 percent of the spectators - Capacities may be used.

Söder promises easing - Oliver Kahn hopes

Oliver Kahn from FC Bayern Munich hopes for an end to the ghost games after Söders signals.

“We have to find sensible solutions for all areas of life, including sport.

I very much hope that the Bavarian cabinet will discuss possibilities and opportunities at its meeting on Tuesday - and make appropriate decisions," said the Bavarian CEO of the German Press Agency.

Söder cabinet meets: press conference live today

After the cabinet meeting, there will be a press conference with Head of State Florian Herrmann, Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek and Minister of Education Michael Piazolo.

You can follow them here at 12 noon.