Hesse extends corona rules: These measures will remain in place for the time being

Created: 03/15/2022, 18:06

By: Alexander Gottschalk

A man stands on the Zeil shopping street with an FFP2 mask in his hand.

© Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa

The Hessian state government is now setting the course for the period after March 20th.

Many current corona rules should remain in place until the beginning of April.

Wiesbaden – The current corona rules in Hesse* should largely remain in place until April 2nd.

This was announced by the Hessian State Chancellery on Tuesday afternoon (03/15/2022).

A so-called "Freedom Day" does not exist for the time being* - it has at least been postponed.

So far it has looked as if all protective measures could be eliminated as early as March 20th, because the current version of the Federal Infection Protection Act expires on that day.

The Hessian state government now wants to anticipate this foreseeable irregularity.

However, some easing should come before April, as reported by fnp.de*.

According to the current plans, there will be a "transitional phase" in Hesse until almost all state-specific restrictions are lifted and only the so-called basic protection remains.

In a first step, the existing Hessian Corona Protection Ordinance is to be extended, according to Wiesbaden.

All “protective measures that are still legally possible” should remain in place until Saturday, April 2nd.

This means above all:

• Distance and hygiene concepts remain in place.

• Access regulations (3G, 2G, 2G-Plus) remain valid.

• The obligation to wear masks remains – to the same extent as before.

The state government also announced that the legal basis for other corona rules would no longer apply on Sunday, March 20.

This should result in relaxation for Hesse, which will come into force after this date:

• The previous contact restrictions (for unvaccinated people) are no longer applicable.

• The capacity restrictions at events and in discos will be lifted. 

• Public festivals and similar events no longer have to be approved in terms of infection law.

• Contact data collection is no longer possible.

Important for all parents and children in Hesse: At schools, the previous compulsory testing and mask regulations should remain in place for the time being.

New Corona rules in Hesse: April 2nd as the new "Freedom Day"

April 2nd could be the new “Freedom Day” in Hesse.

According to the current plans, only the so-called basic protective measures should then apply.

All other Corona rules * would be lifted.

Only the obligation to wear masks in hospitals, in old people’s and nursing homes, in nursing services and in public transport as well as the obligation to test in hospitals, in nursing homes and in schools remained as state-wide requirements.

"All other protective measures" were eliminated with this second step, according to the quote from the State Chancellery.

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The federal and state governments are lashing down a step-by-step plan for this – but they are not yet giving the all-clear.

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Corona loosening: no 2G in retail, more viewers

The corona incidences in Hesse continue to rise.

However, the intensive care units in the country do not report any new increase in corona patients.

The state government has therefore decided to carefully relax.

Corona loosening: no 2G in retail, more viewers

However, this "Freedom Day" does not necessarily promise complete freedom for everyone: In Hessian Corona hotspots, stricter rules should also be possible beyond April 2nd.

Details on the planned hotspot regulations are not currently available.

For example, it is still unclear when a region is considered a hotspot.

The state government wants to orientate itself on the utilization of the hospitals.

Hotspot measures are, for example, a more extensive mask requirement, access regulations (3G, 2G, 2G-Plus) for public traffic and mandatory distance and hygiene concepts.

New corona rules in Hesse: Bouffier criticizes the federal government

On Friday (March 18th, 2022), the Bundestag will vote on the new Federal Infection Protection Act.

After that, the Hessian state government wants to legally tie down the protection concept that has now been presented for the state.

Hesse's Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) sharply criticized the government's wait-and-see approach in a statement.

A "new regulation practically at the last second before the expiry of all rules" is "unspeakable".

For the “best possible planning security” of the people of Hesse, the new plans were therefore launched before the Bundestag deliberations.

(red/ag)