After the Corona summit of the federal and state governments, the question arises again: What exactly is changing in the rules? An overview of the measures currently in force in Hesse.
Frankfurt – The incidence in Hesse is at a record high. On Tuesday (January 25, 2022), the average number of corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants in Hesse rose into the four-digit range for the first time. The main cause is the rapid spread of the omicron variant.
The Corona summit of the federal and state governments on Monday (January 24th, 2022) was not about tightening the rules. Rather, calls for relaxation were made from the ranks of the CDU around Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier. According to Bouffier’s wishes, more spectators should again be allowed to attend sporting and cultural events in particular. On Monday evening, after the talks at the Corona summit, Bouffier commented on the further measures in Hesse.
Ultimately, it was decided that, in future, priority should be given to sending PCR tests to the laboratories for risk groups, such as older people or those with previous illnesses, and for employees in the health sector, such as hospital staff. The other Corona rules remained largely untouched.
Corona in Hesse: That applies to hotspot communities
The following applies to Hesse*: The previous course should be maintained. There will be no changes to the corona measures to contain the pandemic for the time being. The current Corona Protection Ordinance remains in force until mid-February.
For communities with an incidence of over 350 for three consecutive days, the hotspot rules will continue to apply. All regions in Hesse are currently considered hotspots. The following restrictions apply:
- Alcohol ban: Municipalities can determine specific places where the ban applies.
- Mask requirement: In designated pedestrian zones, shopping centers and malls.
- Events in the public area from 11 people: Indoors 2G Plus, outdoors 2G. This applies to sports as well as cultural events, gastronomy and tourist overnight stays in the hospitality industry.
- Contact restrictions for private events: a maximum of 50 people indoors, a maximum of 200 participants outdoors.
- Clubs, discotheques and prostitution establishments: Prostitution establishments will be closed.
Corona in Hesse: These restrictions apply to meetings, events and gastronomy
If a district or an independent city falls out of the hotspot regulation, the general Corona rules apply again. These also provide for contact restrictions, for example. A maximum of ten people are allowed to meet in public spaces. As soon as an unvaccinated person is present, the maximum number is reduced to your own household plus a maximum of two people from another household. These rules are also recommended for meetings in private rooms. You should also get tested beforehand.
For indoor public events with more than ten people, the 2G rule applies outdoors, and 2G+ applies indoors. The same applies to gastronomy in Hesse. However, not all people need to submit a negative test. There are the following exceptions:
- Triple Vaccinated (Boosted)
- Recovered and double vaccinated
- Double vaccinated and recovered
- Vaccinated, recovered, vaccinated
- Freshly vaccinated twice (max. 3 months, from the day of the second vaccination)
- Recently recovered (max. 3 months, from the day of the positive PCR test)
- Recovered and freshly vaccinated once (max. 3 months, from date of vaccination)
People who have not yet received a booster vaccination or who have only recovered must present a negative corona test in order to be allowed to sit inside a restaurant.
There are exceptions with 2G+ for children up to school age. Children and young people under the age of 18 and people who cannot be vaccinated need a current test or a test booklet. The test booklet is valid for schoolchildren who have been vaccinated twice or who have recovered.
Clubs, discotheques and dance halls are allowed to open as bars or pubs. But there is a ban on dancing.
Corona in Hesse: These quarantine rules apply
Adapted rules for quarantine have been in force in Hesse since January 17th, 2022. A ten-day isolation is now mandatory for people infected with Corona and their household members. After seven days, infected people can test themselves through a rapid test at a test center or a PCR test. Persons who are exempt from the 2G+ test requirement do not have to be in quarantine as household members.
Special rules apply to employees in hospitals and retirement and nursing homes: You can only start work after a free test with a PCR test, namely after seven days. The prerequisite for this is that you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours. Pupils and small children can free themselves after just five days with a test.
In the case of contact persons of infected people, the responsible health authority orders quarantine.
Corona in Hesse: 3G applies at work – tests are carried out at school
In principle, employees in Hesse should be able to work from home if possible. However, if presence at the workplace is necessary, the 3G rule applies there. In case of doubt, unvaccinated persons must provide test evidence themselves every working day.
Pupils in Hesse are currently in face-to-face classes. You need three negative proofs per week. Masks are compulsory in the school building. In the case of a corona case in the class, the Corona Protection Ordinance in Hesse provides for 14 days of daily tests. The test offer also applies to vaccinated and recovered students.
- Contact restrictions: Only meet with a maximum of 10 people for vaccinated and recovered people. Unvaccinated people are only allowed to meet with people in their own household and two other people from another household. Exceptions apply to children and young people under the age of 14 and to people who cannot be vaccinated
- Workplace and retail: In retail and at cultural events such as theaters or cinemas, the 2G rule and, in some cases, the 2G Plus rule apply. The 3G rule applies in the workplace.
- Events: For events with more than 10 people, 2G applies indoors. As soon as more than 100 people participate, 2G+ applies. Outdoors, 2G only applies to 100 or more participants. The maximum limit for indoor events is 250 participants and 1000 outdoors.
- Unification and shortening of quarantine
- Nightlife: The operation of dance halls, clubs and discotheques is prohibited nationwide and regardless of the incidence of infection on site. A regular catering business is possible there.
- Gastronomy: In gastronomy, 2G+ applies indoors, whereby boosted and newly vaccinated or recovered people are exempt from the test obligation. 2G applies outdoors.
Corona rules in Hesse: What applies to those returning from travel
For travelers returning to Germany, for example via Frankfurt Airport, the rules are also differentiated for those who have been vaccinated and those who have not. It is also crucial whether the entry is from a high-risk area or even a virus variant area. The following rules apply:
For vaccinated:
| Digital entry registration | Corona test | quarantine | |
| No risk area | no | no | no |
| high risk area | Yes | no | no |
| virus variant area | Yes | yes, PCR only | 14 days* |
* Exception: If the vaccine protects against the predominant variant or the area is downgraded before the end of the quarantine.
For unvaccinated:
| Digital entry registration | Corona test | quarantine | |
| No risk area | no | Yes | no |
| high risk area | Yes | Yes | 10 days* |
| virus variant area | Yes | yes, PCR only | 14 days |
* Free testing possible after five days
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List of rubrics: © Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa
