Corona Aktuell: What are the penalties if I break the rules?

Do I have to go to jail now when I meet up with friends? As absurd as the question sounds, it is justified. Finally, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Sunday how we must act in the fight against the corona virus.

And Merkel also made it clear: these are not recommendations, they are rules! And so she also announced sanctions for non-compliance. In plain language: Those who violate the strict rules can also be punished!

What are the penalties?

But what does that mean specifically? How much penalty do I have to pay if I meet friends outside? If I continue to run my restaurant? If I don't keep the minimum distance.

Once again in this corona crisis, the answer is: there is no clear answer.

Because: Neither the federal government nor the individual countries have published anything like a catalog of fines for corona violations. The language of punishments is "up to € 25,000", but it is rarely more specific.

Now the "Bild" newspaper has published the first fines that are to apply in NRW. Public meetings with more than three people would be fined 200 euros, whoever still runs a bar or disco should pay 5000 euros.

Experts assume that the amount of the penalty also depends on the circumstances: If you met a group of friends on the way to the supermarket and talked, you would have to pay less penalty than the participants of a corona party.

The most important corona rules at a glance:

  • Citizens should reduce social contacts as much as possible
  • Keep a minimum distance from other people: 1.50 meters, better two meters
  • Spending time in the public space is only permitted on your own or with another person or in the circle of members of your own household
  • It is still possible to go to work, go to emergency care, take part in urgently needed appointments, do individual sports and exercise outdoors
  • Celebrating with friends – even in your own four walls – is unacceptable
  • Restaurants are closed, only the taking of food and drinks is allowed
  • Service companies in the field of personal care (hairdresser, massage etc.) are closed – exceptions only apply to medically necessary services
  • It is important in all companies to comply with the hygiene regulations and to implement effective protective measures
  • The measures should be valid for at least two weeks.

swell: tagesschau.de, spiegel.de, bild.de