"Freedom Day"?

This is what the corona rules in Germany should look like from March 20th

Created: 02/16/2022, 20:33

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

In Germany, only basic protective measures against Corona should apply from March 20th.

© Michele Tantussi/dpa

At the Corona summit, it was decided to end “all more far-reaching protective measures” from March 20th.

After that, only basic protective measures should apply.

Munich – In the corona pandemic, the tide is suddenly turning, precisely because of the omicron mutation, which, after its discovery in November 2021, caused great concern about a new, massive wave.

Although there was this large omicron wave with well over 200,000 new infections per day, the situation in the hospitals remained manageable and there was no overload.

Because several studies confirm: The omicron variant is highly contagious, but at the same time usually has a milder course of the disease than, for example, Delta.

As a result, calls for far-reaching easing of lockdown measures have grown louder in recent weeks.

At this point, politics has now delivered.

In today's

Prime Ministers' Conference (MPK), a three-stage plan for easing the federal and state governments was decided.

The corona rules will therefore be relaxed in three steps.

From March 20th, "all more extensive protective measures" should finally fall.

Only the basic protective measures should be retained.

A "Freedom Day" in Germany will probably become a reality.

"Freedom Day": The federal and state governments agree on a three-stage relaxation plan

The phased plan finally decided at the Corona summit consists of three stations.

First of all, the 2G rule in retail is to be lifted nationwide and contact loosening is to take effect at private meetings.

There are no restrictions for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.

However, the stricter rules still apply to those who have not been vaccinated.

For example, in the case of unvaccinated people, their own household can meet with a maximum of two other people, with the exception of those under the age of 14.

The next step will follow on March 4th.

The loosening should take on a new dimension here.

The 2G rule will be superseded by the 3G rule for overnight accommodation and gastronomy.

At the same time, clubs and discotheques are allowed to open again - but only with 2G-Plus: Only vaccinated and recovered people with a daily test will have access.

In addition, a capacity of 75 percent, but a maximum of 25,000 spectators, should be permitted for major national events such as Bundesliga games.

For indoor events, the occupancy rate is 60 percent with a maximum of 6,000 spectators.

The final phase of easing will take place on March 20th.

According to the decision of the Corona summit, "all more far-reaching protective measures" should be dropped on this date, provided "the situation in the hospitals allows it".

"Freedom Day" in March: According to the MPK, this is what it should look like - only basic protective measures

Specifically, the announced phased plan for easing means a fundamental change in the Corona rules.

The strict measures that have been in place so far are to be lifted.

The MPK decision also specifies a change in the corona-related home office regulations that are mandatory under the Infection Protection Act.

These are to be omitted, but the employer may “continue to offer work in the home office in agreement with the employees” if there are no reasons to contradict this.

From March 20th you can expect a much more relaxed public life.

However, the measures should not be completely thrown overboard.

Much more should be done with caution.

The resolution states that "low-threshold basic protection measures" should continue to apply.

"From the point of view of the federal states, these include in particular the obligation to wear masks in the closed rooms of public facilities as well as in buses and trains, the requirement to keep a distance, general hygiene requirements, the possibility of providing for test requirements in certain areas and the obligation to provide evidence of the vaccination, recovered and test status," explains the decision of the MPK.

With the aim of “effectively protecting people who are particularly at risk”, the federal states also require “area-specific protective measures” for facilities with vulnerable people – in particular hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities.

A corresponding procedure for all these measures is already being prepared in the Bundestag.

Corona summit: Scholz advises caution despite easing - Wüst doesn't want to pick up everything "hoppla hopp".

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) justified this two-pronged path of far-reaching easing on the one hand, but maintaining basic protective measures on the other at the press conference after consultations with the heads of government of the federal states.

Germany came through the Omicron wave better than expected, which is why one can open up optimistic prospects.

Although they now want to loosen up in three steps and have "deserved that it somehow gets better".

But you shouldn't be careless, because the pandemic is "not over yet," he warned.

For the period after March 20, Scholz emphasized precautionary action in the event of a deterioration in the infection situation.

"The next variant may come around the corner and present us with completely new challenges," warned the Federal Chancellor.

MPK Chairman Hendrik Wüst (CDU) agreed with Scholz's statements.

One can “responsibly and proactively create opening perspectives”.

However, one must “combine openings and mindfulness”.

After all, the pandemic does not follow the calendar.

"That's why we mustn't throw everything that has proven its worth over the past few months overboard," says Wüst.

All countries agree on bassi protection.