Further easing in Bavaria? Söder statement leaked from MPK – "We're talking about an incidence of 100"

Bavaria has submitted, now the federal government should follow. Numerous relaxations are expected to be decided at the MPK on Wednesday. It may just take a while before they come.

Update from February 16, 4:20 p.m .: The press conference after the federal-state meeting should start in 10 minutes. It is still unclear whether Prime Minister Markus Söder will also comment on any changes in Bavaria after the MPK. Apparently he had called for the quarantine regulation to be relaxed during the meeting (see previous update).

Söder demands adjustment of the quarantine regulation in high-risk areas

Update from February 16, 2:41 p.m .: Bavaria calls for an adjustment in the classification of corona high-risk areas. The current regulation, according to which areas with an incidence of 100 or more are considered high-risk areas, is no longer proportionate, said Prime Minister Markus Söder according to participants in the round of country heads. It must therefore now be considered whether the regulation is still correct. “We’re talking about an incidence of 100, while in Germany we have incidences of over 1,000.”

According to the information, the CSU boss emphasized that the adjustment is particularly important for those returning from travel with children. “It’s unacceptable for young families. We need a family-friendly new quarantine regulation for this.” According to the current status, all unvaccinated travelers returning from high-risk areas, including families with small children under the age of five, must be in quarantine.

According to reports, Söder’s speech met with approval from both the CDU Prime Minister and the SPD heads of government. The point should therefore come up again in the round with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).

MPK live today: Söder shares a photo on Instagram

Update from February 16, 1:05 p.m .: This Wednesday, the federal and state governments will meet for the next round of corona. Some things have already been leaked (see previous update). On a long and busy day, however, there must also be time for a short break – including lunch. “Spicy food during the MPK,” Söder writes about a photo of his goulash soup on Instagram. Bavaria’s Prime Minister uses the hashtag #söderisst. “Bon appetite, lots of strength, good ideas,” wishes a follower. You can follow the results of the MPK for Bavaria and any statements by the CSU boss in this ticker.

Update from February 16, 9:17 a.m .: At the federal and state round on corona policy on Wednesday, more far-reaching easing could be decided than previously planned *. A new draft resolution as of Tuesday evening, which is available to the AFP news agency, provides that there should no longer be a limit on the number of participants for private meetings of those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Previously, a limit of 20 people was under discussion. The new paper has apparently been agreed between the Federal Chancellery and the State Chancellery. Business Insider magazine first reported on it.

Even with the further dismantling of corona protection measures, more far-reaching steps are now planned than in a draft resolution circulating on Monday. For example, a maximum occupancy rate of 60 percent instead of 40 percent should be allowed for indoor events. The number of 6,000 spectators must not be exceeded – the limit had previously been drawn at 4,000. For major outdoor events, the previous draft resolution had provided for a maximum occupancy rate of 60 percent. The new paper speaks of 75 percent. The maximum number of participants of 25,000 remains unchanged.

According to the plans of the federal and state governments, all far-reaching corona protection measures are to be lifted step by step by March 20th. Certain regulations, such as wearing masks on buses and trains, are to be retained after this deadline. The deliberations on the details of the procedure should begin on Wednesday around 2 p.m.

Bavaria decides on numerous easing: Now the federal government should follow suit – Söder calls for an exit strategy

First report from February 15: Munich/Berlin – The Omicron summit has been exceeded. That said on Tuesday, February 15, both Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach * (SPD). “We can see today that Corona has probably reached its peak,” said Söder at the press conference after the cabinet meeting. Numerous loosening for the Free State * were also decided on this. Time for the federal government to follow suit?

Before MPK, Söder calls for an emergency strategy from the federal government

From the federal-state round on Wednesday, Söder expects the course to be set for all of Germany – especially for the period from mid-March, when the legal basis for most corona protection measures is to expire. This is possible – but then a “basic pension package” is still needed, emphasized Söder*. This “protection package” must include things like the obligation to wear a mask, test questions and distance rules. Söder added: “And secondly, an emergency strategy for the fall should there be a new mutation, a new wave, which again has a different hazard.”

In some areas, such as the opening of clubs and discos, Söder does not want to press ahead, but rather wait for a nationwide regulation. “In gastronomy, we also believe that the path from 2G to 3G is possible, and also that you can go to 2G plus in discos and clubs and bars,” he said. But we want to do that together. “Because it is very important for us that we don’t get any party or disco tourism in the end. But that should be decided uniformly, especially at the sensitive point.”

Holetschek sharply criticizes the federal government before the MPK

It remains to be seen to what extent the Bavarian demands will be met. Mainly because the tones from Bavaria to the Scholz government were more than combative in advance. Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU), for example, hardly left a good hair on the work of the federal government in his government statement before the Bavarian state parliament. He wonders what the governing coalition has actually done: “Nothing at all,” said Holetschek. One must acknowledge that in Berlin “one mistake after the other” is committed.

However, while the massive easing in Bavaria will already take effect on Thursday, the nationwide easing seems to be a long way off. In a draft resolution that was announced in advance, easing* is only planned for the end of March. At the beginning of spring 2022, “the far-reaching restrictions on social, cultural and economic life are to be gradually lifted,” it says. However, it remains to be seen whether the first easing at the federal level will take place before that. (tel with dpa) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubrics: © Sven Hoppe/dpa/dpa-Bildfunk