Icon: enlarge
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin: emptiness in lockdown
Photo: Christian Thiel / imago images / Christian Thiel
It's Weiberfastnacht, but Carnival and Mardi Gras are to be forgotten this year.
Instead of storming town halls or indulging in other foolish goings-on, citizens must keep all contacts to a minimum until at least March 7, 2021.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers decided on Wednesday that the principle of 'we stay at home' remains the essential tool in the fight against the pandemic.
Due to the spreading variants of the coronavirus, "considerable additional efforts" are even required, according to the decision, in order to "reduce the number of infections again".
People should work from home even more often than before.
There are opening prospects for schools and daycare centers and new, small perspectives in the resolution, but in essence public life in Germany remains regulated down for the time being.
The renewed extension of the measures that have been in effect since December will make the consequences for society, the economy, families and each individual even more serious.
But what do experts from medicine and educational research think of the new decision?
Is it likely to be able to return to a normal life soon?
Read more with Spiegel Plus
More perspectives, more understanding.
Your advantages with SPIEGEL +
Icon: Check
SPIEGEL as a magazine
as an app, e-paper and on the e-reader
Icon: Check
All articles on SPIEGEL.de
Exclusive texts for SPIEGEL + readers
Icon: Check
Try one month for free
Cancel anytime online
A price
only € 19.99 per month
One month for € 0.00
Try now for 0.00 € Buy nowArrow to the right
Already have a digital subscription? Register here
Restore iTunes subscription
SPIEGEL + is processed via your iTunes account and paid for with a purchase confirmation.
24 hours before it expires, the subscription is automatically renewed by one month at the current price of € 19.99.
You can cancel the subscription at any time in the settings of your iTunes account.
In order to use SPIEGEL + outside of this app, you have to link the subscription to a SPIEGEL ID account immediately after purchase.
With the purchase you accept our general terms and conditions and privacy policy.
