Friday, January 07, 2022
Larger gatherings possible
Saxony relaxes strict corona rules
While the federal and state governments are adopting stricter corona measures, Saxony is taking the first easing steps. However, the state had very strict rules so far. Now, for example, cinemas are allowed to reopen and sporting events can take place. Larger demos will also be possible soon.
Saxony wants to partially relax the strict corona rules that have been in force since mid-November. Under certain conditions, cinemas, theaters and other cultural institutions should be allowed to reopen from Friday next week and sporting events should be possible again, as Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and Minister of Social Affairs Petra Köpping (SPD) said after a cabinet meeting in Dresden. The prerequisite for this is, among other things, that the load limit in the hospitals is not exceeded.
The previously limited opening times in the catering trade are also to be expanded again. Tourists should be allowed to stay in Saxony again. The 2G or 2G-Plus rule therefore applies to all measures – those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered need an additional test for the latter.
With the next regulation, which the cabinet wants to pass on Wednesday, the upper limits for the size of meetings are to be raised again. So far, only 10 people are allowed to gather in the inpatient facility. However, this is mostly ignored in the state-wide protests against the corona measures in Saxony. The police have been on duty for weeks because of the demonstrations.
Regardless of the incidence, up to 200 people should again be allowed to gather in the inpatient facility. If the load limit is not reached, demonstrations with up to 1000 participants are possible again.
“Today’s state worked very hard”
In Saxony, comparatively strict corona rules have been in place since mid-November. Clubs, bars and discos will therefore remain closed. The contact restrictions also remain in place.
Kretschmer said the measures adopted in November were successful. “We have worked very hard to get where we are today,” he emphasized, referring to the significantly lower incidence in the Free State. The issue now is the “proportionality” of restrictions. At the same time, Kretschmer pointed out that the openings could also be withdrawn again if the infection rate increased again sharply.