Tuesday, November 23, 2021
2G, retail, curfew
These countries are sharpening significantly
In the fight against the spread of the corona virus and against overloading the health system in view of the massively increasing number of infections, other federal states are improving their corona regulations. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Berlin as well as Bavaria, the adjusted regulations are to come into force on Wednesday. In essence, as with the regulations that have already been changed, it is about massive restrictions for unvaccinated people. They are excluded from large parts of public life.
North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, stricter corona-related restrictions will apply from Wednesday. This was announced by the State Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann. In the leisure sector, access restrictions will apply across the board from tomorrow for adults who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from it (2G rule). In areas with a particularly high risk of infection – such as discos, clubs or carnival celebrations – even those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered have to present a current negative test (2G plus). Exceptions apply to minors and people without a vaccination recommendation or those who cannot be vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people are then largely excluded from social events, with the exception of their working life, said Laumann. The CDU politician emphasized that it is not responsible not to be vaccinated if your state of health allows it. In North Rhine-Westphalia there are still around a million workers who are not vaccinated. You would have to come to work every day from Wednesday with a fresh negative test. NRW will take further protective measures as soon as this so-called hospitalization rate is above six, explained Laumann (current value according to RKI: 4.22).
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is also transitioning almost across the board to a 2G rule in public life with a new Corona regulation. That said Prime Minister Stephan Weil of the SPD in Hanover. All leisure, cultural, gastronomic and sports facilities are only accessible to vaccinated and convalescent people. This also applies to Christmas markets outside. In addition, despite 2G, the mask requirement remains in force everywhere as an additional protective measure.
This also means “a severe restriction for unvaccinated people”. In Lower Saxony, the pandemic situation is even less dramatic than in other parts of Germany. “But it worries us too,” said Weil. According to the new regulation, as in other federal states, the warning levels come into force more quickly. In many cases, those who have been vaccinated and recovered from 2G must also submit negative tests (2G plus).
Berlin
From Saturday only people who have been vaccinated against Corona and those who have recovered will have access to most of Berlin’s shops, but not those who have not been vaccinated. The Senate agreed on a corresponding expansion of the so-called 2G rules. Exceptions should apply to basic supplies, such as supermarkets, drug stores or pharmacies. In addition, in many areas of public life in Berlin, to which only vaccinated and convalescent people have access, additional requirements such as mask or test requirements will soon apply.
The Senate agreed on so-called 2G-plus rules, although a formal resolution was still pending. Accordingly, it is planned to have a mask requirement wherever 2G is currently effective, for example in the cultural and leisure sector. Where this is not possible, for example in the catering trade, a negative test and distance rules should be necessary as an alternative.
Hamburg
The Hamburg Senate wants to extend the so-called 2G rule to accommodation providers and the cultural sector. This means that only those vaccinated and recovered from Corona will be allowed to visit theaters, cinemas, leisure facilities and hotels, as Mayor Peter Tschentscher of the SPD announced after a Senate meeting. He justified this with the expected increase in the so-called hospitalization incidence to over 3 (currently according to RKI: 2.11).
Stricter 2G rules have been in place in the Hanseatic city since last weekend. After that, only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered have access to certain areas such as restaurants, bars and clubs. The same applies to indoor sports, to recreational choirs and orchestras, as well as services that are close to the body – as long as it does not involve hairdressers, foot care and medical treatments. Visits under 3G conditions are still possible there. Young people are to be exempted from the 2G rule for the time being. Tschentscher announced, however, that the exception for 16- and 17-year-olds will no longer apply in the near future.
Bavaria
In view of the increasing corona numbers, the Bavarian cabinet has decided to take tough countermeasures. They should – with the approval of the state parliament in the afternoon – come into force the coming night and thus apply from Wednesday. Strict contact restrictions then apply to unvaccinated people in Bavaria: a maximum of five people from two households are allowed to meet. Only children under twelve, vaccinated and convalescents do not count. All clubs, discos and bars have to close, restaurants are only allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. Christmas markets are canceled. From Wednesday on, cultural and sporting events may only take place with a maximum of 25 percent of spectators.
In addition, the 2G rule then applies across the board: Only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered have access to hairdressers, universities, music, driving and adult education centers as well as libraries. In many areas, 2G plus will even apply in the future. This applies, for example, to cultural and sporting events, trade fairs and conferences as well as all kinds of leisure facilities such as zoos, baths and cable cars. If the seven-day incidence rises above 1000, more drastic measures apply: Gastronomy, hotels, sports and cultural venues must close, leisure, sports and cultural events of all kinds are prohibited. Unlike initially planned, however, hairdressers are now allowed to remain open. Schools and daycare centers remain open throughout Bavaria.
Thuringia
In view of the tense corona situation in Thuringia, the cabinet has decided on far-reaching restrictions on public life. Clubs, bars and discos are to be closed, Christmas markets are banned, and a curfew at 10 p.m. is to apply in restaurants, as Thuringia’s Minister of Health Heike Werner (Linke) announced on Tuesday in Erfurt. Swimming pools, leisure pools, saunas and thermal baths must also close. There are exceptions for school sports.
The new Corona regulation sometimes makes a strong distinction according to people’s vaccination status. For those who have neither been vaccinated nor recovered from Covid 19 disease, a night curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. will apply. Unvaccinated people also face contact restrictions. In addition, a 2G regulation will apply in many areas of public life from Wednesday. This means that only those who have been vaccinated or have recovered have access there. 2G is also becoming mandatory in retail. Shops for daily needs such as supermarkets, pharmacies or drugstores are excluded. In some areas, even 2G proof will no longer be sufficient in the future. From now on, 2G plus applies in closed rooms of fitness studios. Vaccinated people also have to show a negative corona test.
Brandenburg
Due to the corona infection situation, there will soon no longer be any requirement for students to be present at schools in Brandenburg. “For the school sector we will lift the compulsory attendance,” said Education Minister Britta Ernst to the RBB. “It is the wish of many parents that they do not want to send their children to school.” The details – such as exceptions for graduating classes – are still being worked out. In addition, Ernst plans to bring the Christmas vacation three days forward. Originally, December 23rd was supposed to be the first day of vacation in Brandenburg. The new holiday start should now be Monday, December 20th. Ernst also sees the responsibility of adults to relax the situation for the children through vaccinations. School closings shouldn’t be the solution.