NewsBut no "Freedom Day" in Bavaria: Söder puts the...

But no "Freedom Day" in Bavaria: Söder puts the Corona turnaround and explains new regulations

The Corona situation is tense, so the Söder cabinet has decided: No “Freedom Day”, the mask requirement remains! The news ticker for Bavaria.

  • In his government statement, Prime Minister Markus Söder addressed the Ukraine war , energy supply and the Corona crisis (updates from 2:04 p.m.).
  • Corona * in Bavaria: The mask requirement remains, the Free State makes use of a transitional regulation (see update from 12.50 p.m.)
  • This news ticker is updated regularly.

Update from March 16, 6.35 a.m .: The seven-day incidence in Bavaria fell slightly on Wednesday and is now 2008.5 according to the RKI (previous day 2027). The Haßberge district in Lower Franconia is hardest hit with an incidence of 3144.5. The incidence is currently lowest in the former hotspot Miesbach with 825.5.

Despite everything, the numbers remain at an alarmingly high level. Prime Minister Markus Söder therefore announced in a government statement on Tuesday that he would make cutbacks on the so-called “Freedom Day” in Germany on March 20th and leave transitional rules in force for Bavaria until April 2nd, including the obligation to wear a mask.

Corona incidence in Bavaria still high: easing “ignores reality”

Because of the record number of people infected with corona, the sick and injured still have to wait for an operation appointment in the Bavarian hospitals. The intensive care units are also far from normal operations, said the managing director of the Bavarian Hospital Society, Roland Engehausen, of the “Augsburger Allgemeine” (Wednesday).

“We definitely still have five to six tough weeks ahead of us,” warned Engehausen. “Therefore we do not understand the legislator that easing is now being discussed.” The hotspot regulation planned by the federal government as a replacement for the uniform federal requirements is hardly practicable. The protective measures should be maintained nationwide until after Easter, according to Engehausen.

Hospital expert from Bavaria urges compulsory vaccination – new corona escalation in autumn?

In addition, he urges the general obligation to vaccinate. It is irresponsible of the government to put the issue on the back burner. The clinic staff is at the limit. Without compulsory vaccination, the forecast is that the situation will escalate again in autumn.

Update from 3:11 p.m .: Schulze promotes closer cooperation between the government and the opposition. In the end, the Greens politician speaks to the Bundeswehr. For the past 16 years, the Union has controlled the Department of Defense. How should the mistakes of the Union be ironed out within a year. Schulze then switches to Corona. Above all, she accuses the FDP of continuing to fuel the “Freedom Day” debate. The Greens politician also calls on the government to prepare for the fall and to give vaccinations more emphasis.

Green parliamentary group leader Schulze sees an extension of the nuclear power plant terms critical

Update from 3:04 p.m .: Nuclear power is also not an alternative. Germany would lack the fuel rods. In addition, one cannot heat with nuclear power. The current situation in the country is tough, Schulze admits. It is therefore not enough just to lower taxes – as with the watering can. It must be more complex to examine who is really in need. It now needs the three “E”. Relief, savings and efficiency. The Greens parliamentary group leader is still promoting their energy money. That would benefit everyone. Bavaria can already provide relief, but money must be taken into hand.

Update from 2:58 p.m .: Schulze calls for independence from fossil forms of energy. Oil and gas account for 90 percent of energy imports in Bavaria. Bavaria pays five billion euros to Russia every year for energy imports. “Wind and sun cannot be monopolized by dictators.” Bavaria, along with the city states, is in last place when it comes to developing wind power. In Bavaria there is even more potential for wind power. Schulze considers sticking to the 10H rule to be “grossly negligent”.

Update from 2:53 p.m .: The chairwoman of the largest opposition group of the Greens, Katharina Schulze, then speaks. She also sharply condemned Vladimir Putin for his war of aggression against Ukraine. This war must be ended immediately. Many Bavarians would already help to help the Ukrainian refugees. “Thank you very much.” But Bavaria also has to meet its financial obligations here. You can’t just pass everything on to the federal government.

No more corona rules in April: Söder is worried about an increase in the number of infections

Update from 2:51 p.m .: Söder is worried about the population. Peace is at risk for everyone. One must now make politics for everyone and not just pursue clientele politics. With that, the prime minister ends his government statement. He overran about 20 minutes.

Update from 2:47 p.m .: Bavaria will not agree to the new hotspot regulation in the Bundesrat, Söder continues. “The last bullet” will be used and the regulations will be extended until April 2nd. From April 3rd, nothing will apply anymore. He doesn’t have a good feeling about it, says Söder. An overnight exit is not appropriate.

Update from 2.42 p.m .: “Corona is increasing, the federal government is getting out,” criticizes Söder. How could the traffic light now demand a “Freedom Day”. That was “off topic”. He does not understand how the SPD and the Greens support the demands for the abolition of the measures at federal level. Many Prime Ministers would already warn. “The basic protection does not deserve the name.” It urgently needs to be improved. Masks and compulsory vaccination are still the best ways to fight the pandemic.

Söder calls for emergency programs for the Bundeswehr

Update from 2:37 p.m .: The next topic that Söder continues with is the Bundeswehr. The Bundeswehr was saved badly by the Groko – especially by the SPD. It now needs emergency programs for the Bundeswehr. Everything must be strengthened. Söder then attacks the Ministry of Defence. The relocation of the A400M transport aircraft to the Hanover region was unspeakably communicated – by the media.

Update from 2:34 p.m .: It is not the time for bureaucracy, but for tax relief, the head of state continues. The price spiral must also be slowed down for food. In Bavaria, more land must be used for agriculture. “Family farms as agricultural sites” is Söder’s motto. He calls for reduced VAT for regional groceries. “Agriculture are the good guys.” They have to be supported more, demands the CSU boss.

Bavaria should get more wind turbines – Söder is planning a wind summit

Update from 2:28 p.m .: Söder announces a wind summit for the coming weeks. He wants to build 500 plus X wind turbines in Bavaria. It must work with and not against the citizens. The CSU boss also relies on hydrogen. Half a billion euros have already flowed into this form of energy. Bavaria must think beyond its borders in this regard. You have to look around the world for alternative energies. “Many will soon no longer be able to afford energy,” Söder continues. The price explosion would come largely from the state. Something has to happen more and more quickly with the price of gas at the federal level, according to the CSU boss.

Update from 2:22 p.m .: The Prime Minister then attacks the green-governed federal states. Hardly any wind turbines would be built there either. It does not fail in the state parliament, but often on site. The most common lawsuits against wind turbines would not come from citizens but from conservation organizations. Bavaria is putting a billion euros into its hands for climate protection. Söder wants to focus more on the mix of renewable energies. “We would like more support on legal issues from the federal government.”

Update from 2:18 p.m .: An “Russian Energy Independence Day” is needed as soon as possible. Quick solutions must be found. One must also talk about the lifetime extension of nuclear power plants. “Extension is sensible. Switch off ideologically.” In Bavaria, further investments in renewable energies must be made. “Bavaria is number one in Germany for almost all renewable energies.”

Söder would like to be independent of Russian raw material supplies sooner rather than later

Update from 2:13 p.m .: In his government statement, Söder also takes on the responsibility of the federal government. Bavaria would pay in advance, but clear announcements must now come from the federal government. The CSU leader also speaks of sanctions against Russia. These would not only hit Putin’s country, but also put a heavy strain on the Bavarian economy. In addition, the dependency on Russian gas cannot be attributed to any individual. It had been a joint decision by the German government since the 1970s. It hurts Söder “having to transfer money to Russia every day”. But one cannot immediately decide to stop the supply of raw materials from Russia. He is also responsible for jobs in Bavaria, Söder continued.

Update from 2:09 p.m .: On Wednesday, all district administrators and mayors want to discuss how the refugees can be further helped. So far, 50,000 people have come to Bavaria. Refugees are registered by the police and then distributed. They are accommodated in prepared emergency shelters and they are helped to integrate here. But the preparations were difficult because sometimes you didn’t even know an hour before a train arrived in Munich that one was supposed to come, says Söder. This should now get better.

Update from 2:04 p.m .: Markus Söder (CSU) begins his government statement. “It’s war in Europe.” Putin alone is responsible for the war in Ukraine. He must take responsibility for it. “Putin may win the battle, but lose the war,” Söder continues. “We are all Ukrainians in these times,” said the CSU leader. He also thanks all the helpers. Many people are already committed, but many people are also afraid. Söder also wants to keep an eye on these concerns. He does not want to become an active force in the war. He relies on sanctions and help for refugees.

New Corona rules at primary schools: Masks are compulsory in class

Update from March 15, 12:50 p.m .: In Bavaria, the previous 2G and 3G access rules and the mask requirement in schools or in retail will remain in place until April 2 – with one exception: the mask requirement is no longer applicable in elementary and special schools in class starting next Monday (March 21st), a week later (March 28th) also in the 5th and 6th grades. The cabinet around Markus Söder decided on Tuesday, as Head of State Florian Herrmann then announced at a press conference. Bavaria is thus using a transitional period for many existing corona rules, as provided for in the new Federal Infection Protection Act, with the exception of elementary school students and in the 5th and 6th grades. In retail and elsewhere, the FFP2 standard continues to apply when masks are compulsory.

Corona rules in Bavaria: Free State uses transitional rule – mask requirement remains

According to the traffic light government’s draft law for the revised Infection Protection Act, all far-reaching corona measures are supposed to expire nationwide this weekend. Only mask requirements in nursing homes, clinics, in local and long-distance transport and test requirements in nursing homes and schools should remain. However, the countries can use a transitional period until April 2nd. And: If the corona situation worsens regionally, the federal states can reintroduce stricter rules by resolution of the state parliament – whereby many of the measures that have been possible up to now are then excluded.

With the abolition of the obligation to wear masks, initially in elementary schools, the Free Voters prevailed over the CSU, which had recently rejected this. Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (Free Voters) justified the decision by saying that there are PCR pool tests at primary schools and in the future also in the 5th and 6th grades. In addition, wearing a mask puts a particular strain on the little ones. In addition, you want to take a “first step.”

Corona rules in Bavaria: Access rules remain in place, 3G in the catering trade, 2G Plus in clubs

According to the Bavarian cabinet decision, it is now clear that the previously valid access restrictions (only for those who have been vaccinated/recovered/tested) will remain in place until April 2nd, for example 2G in the leisure sector, 2G plus in discos or 3G in restaurants, hotels and universities. In schools as well as in day-care centers, the compulsory test remains.

If the new Infection Protection Act is passed in Berlin this week as previously planned, many requirements will also no longer apply in Bavaria from March 19. Herrmann listed several areas at the press conference.

  • Specifications for capacity and maximum number of people
  • Special regulations for church services and meetings
  • the ban on dancing and music in gastronomy
  • the previous ban on folk festivals and annual markets
  • and the ban on partying in public places.

Söder government extends corona rules: the press conference to read

12:34 p.m .: The question and answer session is now open. When asked about the application of the hotspot rule, he said that one had to wait for the final law. They are now making use of the transitional rule and have therefore only made a decision until April 2nd. After that, the transitional rule no longer applies, explains Herrmann. It depends on whether you can make use of the hotspot rule with “legal certainty”. There is a formal and a substantive hurdle. Bavaria is therefore calling for “things to be improved.” Do everything to protect the population if it is necessary. But you can only do what the federal government allows you to do in the law, he explains when asked again.

Corona situation: Bavaria puts together an aid package for culture

12:28 p.m .: Markus Blume has the floor “The situation of art and culture in Bavaria has been challenging in the last two years,” reports Bavaria’s new Minister of Education. And Corona is not over yet. Now there is the Ukraine war. There should be a “restart package” for culture as a “signal of hope”. The Corona cultural programs will be extended until June 30th. Money is now also being spent on the independent scene, which is new. In total, we are talking about up to 45 million euros. In addition, a “welcome package” will be put together for Ukrainian artists, for which there will be several grants.

Corona rules in Bavaria: mask duty? This will soon apply to schools in the Free State

12:18 p.m .: Michael Piazolo speaks after Herrmann. From Monday, the obligation to wear masks in elementary and special schools will be lifted, but only in the square. “To take a first step,” explains Bavaria’s Minister of Education. The incidence increases after the carnival holidays, he also reports. Secondly, it was decided to drop the masks in the 5th and 6th grades the week after next. If there is a corona case, an “enhanced mask and test regime will be maintained,” he explains.

The pictures from the Ukraine are terrible, he leads on to the next topic. He reports on his time in Kyiv that one could never have imagined images from a European capital beforehand. A three-pronged approach has been prepared to help.

Ukraine refugees in Bavaria: This is how children and young people should be helped

  • 1. Pedagogical welcome groups are set up
  • 2. Admission to special classes and teaching groups
  • 3. Possibility of admission to a mainstream class/regular classes

Corona hammer! No “Freedom Day” in Bavaria – Free State makes use of transitional regulations

12 p.m.: The press conference begins, Florian Herrmann has the floor. “The crises are rolling over and it’s not getting any better overall,” he reports, with a view to Corona and the Ukraine war. It is clear that Bavaria is preparing intensively for the influx of refugees and is already prepared. “The preparations are being and have been made.” The aim is to register people comprehensively in order to have an overview.

Herrmann says about Corona: “The number of infections is currently increasing again”, maximum values are currently being reached. It is predominantly the omicron subtype. Since March 7th, there has been an increase in the incidence, and Herrmann says there are still too many deaths to be lamented every day. The R value is greater than one. The hospitalization is stable, but the dynamics can still be seen there. ICU bed occupancy has increased. The hospitalization incidence is 899.

For schoolchildren, the increase is “brought from the carnival holidays,” says Herrmann. In the 16-19 year olds, the incidence is over 4000, i.e. twice as high. “Vaccination is still a stagnation,” he laments. 73.9 percent were vaccinated for the first time. That’s just a 0.1 percent increase compared to the previous week. The rate for the booster vaccination is 55.4 percent. Conclusion: “The pandemic is still in full swing.” The “warning signals” are there and should be taken seriously. One should not remove the protective measures completely, he warns.

Corona hammer in Bavaria: Mask requirement remains! Free State uses transitional rules

Bavaria considers the current federal draft law to be “inadequate”. It would not be possible to take protective measures outside of hotspots. The hotspot rule is “not practicable,” reports Herrmann. He criticizes that the instrument case is being “emptied and closed” by the federal government. Regarding today’s decisions of the Bavarian cabinet, he says: Bavaria is making use of the transitional rules that apply until April 2nd.

Bavaria’s Minister of Health had asked the cabinet to make use of it. That means: The 15th regulation will be extended and changed. It is scheduled to come into force on Saturday (March 19). The content: The previous rules on the mask requirement remain in place wherever they previously existed. It is “a very central means of protection.” The following applies in schools from March 21 (primary and special schools): the obligation to wear masks in the square will be lifted. A week later also for 5th and 6th grade. Access rules remain the same, i.e. 3G for restaurants, for example, and 2G Plus in clubs.

According to Herrmann, the following will no longer apply from March 19: rules on contact restrictions, upper capacity and person limits, special rules for church services, bans on folk festivals and fairs, a ban on celebrating in public places and the obligation to have fixed groups in daycare centers

Update from March 15, 11:40 a.m.: The Bavarian cabinet met at 9 a.m. on the Corona situation and the Ukraine war. There will be a press conference on the results in 20 minutes. You can follow them here at 12 noon in the live stream and ticker.

Corona: Bavaria incidence reaches record value

Update from March 15, 8:25 a.m .: The seven-day incidence in Bavaria has reached a new record. The RKI gave the value on Tuesday as 2027.0. The previous day the value was 1990.7, a week ago it was 1560.4. This means that Bavaria has the second highest seven-day incidence nationwide after Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Thuringia comes close behind.

Corona in Bavaria – the current numbers on Tuesday

  • 32,867 new infections within 24 hours
  • 33 new deaths (total now: 21,921)

Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the RKI data. One reason is the limited capacity of health authorities, for example, who only track contacts to a limited extent.

At the district level, the Haßberge (3225.2) and Regen (3026.7) districts recorded the highest incidence in the Free State on Tuesday.

Government statement by Söder on the Corona situation and the Ukraine war

Update from March 15, 5:53 a.m .: Today, Tuesday (2 p.m.), Markus Söder makes a short-term government statement in the state parliament because of the Ukraine war. According to the State Chancellery, the priority topics of the speech will be Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the organization of refugee aid in Germany and Bavaria. According to the Ministry of the Interior, around 45,000 refugees have arrived in Bavaria since March 1 – out of almost 150,000 in Germany.

Söder’s speech should also deal with other consequences of the war, such as energy policy. Since then, fuel prices in particular have skyrocketed, to ever new record highs.

The Ukraine war and its consequences are the subject of Söder’s government statement: Corona should also be addressed

Another topic of the government statement: the Corona situation. The seven-day incidence in Bavaria has currently reached an unprecedented level of almost 2000. At the same time, according to the plans of the federal government, all far-reaching corona measures are to expire nationwide this week. However, there are debates in particular about the planned end of the mask requirement in schools and in retail. On Thursday, the prime ministers of the federal states want to discuss the future corona rules with the federal government – Söder also wants to comment on this in his government statement in the state parliament.

Söder government statement in the afternoon on Corona and Ukraine – Press conference with ministers beforehand

In addition to the government statement, a video link by the Bavarian cabinet is also on the agenda today. At 12 p.m. there will be a press conference with Head of State Florian Herrmann, Minister of Science Markus Blume (both CSU) and Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (Free Voters).

Because of the Ukraine war: Short-term government statement from Söder – CSU boss also comments on Corona rules

First report from March 14th: Munich – In view of the Ukraine war, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder will make a short-term government statement in the state parliament this Tuesday (March 15th). This was announced by a spokeswoman for the State Chancellery on Monday. Priority issues will therefore be Russia*’s war of aggression against Ukraine* as well as help and support for refugees in Germany and Bavaria*. In addition, it is said to be about other consequences of the war, such as energy policy. Gasoline prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of the war and continue to reach new record highs.

Söder government statement on the Ukraine war – the corona situation is also an issue

In addition, the Söders government statement should deal with the Corona situation. The seven-day incidence in Bavaria has currently reached an unprecedented level of almost 2000.* At the same time, however, the federal government plans to phase out all far-reaching corona measures nationwide this week. There are particularly debates about the planned end of the mask requirement in schools and retail.

Corona rules: The federal and state governments will advise on Thursday – criticism from Bavaria in advance

On Thursday, the prime ministers of the federal states want to discuss the future corona rules with the federal government – Söder also wants to comment on this in his government statement in the state parliament. Criticism came from the Free State in advance: “It is essential that the federal states continue to have a functioning emergency kit after March 20th. It must be clear which measures are uniformly possible in an escalating situation. That is not the case,” criticized Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU*). The federal government must therefore improve the draft and give the federal states “more tools so that we don’t run into difficult situations again in the autumn with our eyes wide open”. (kam/dpa) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

List of rubrics: © Sven Hoppe/dpa

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