Markus Söder is concerned about the rising corona numbers. He therefore clearly rejects a “Freedom Day”, Bavaria will probably go its own way. A rule overview.
Munich – “Corona is increasing, the federal government is getting out,” criticized Markus Söder * in a government statement in the Bavarian state parliament on Tuesday *. In an interview on Sunday, he had already spoken out clearly against a “Freedom Day” *, i.e. the omission of all far-reaching corona measures. At the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Söder and his ministers decided to make use of the so-called “transitional rule”. Bavaria is thus going its own way, the corona restrictions will largely remain in place until April 2nd. Some easing will probably come on March 19th. The new rules at a glance.
Corona rules in Bavaria: But no “Freedom Day”! Söder sticks to measures
According to the federal government’s draft law for the revised Infection Protection Act, all far-reaching Corona* measures nationwide should actually expire this weekend. Only the obligation to wear masks in nursing homes, clinics, in local and long-distance transport and the obligation to carry out tests in nursing homes and schools should remain. However, the federal states can use a transitional period until April 2nd. Bayern prefers this option. The following corona restrictions remain as before:
- The 3G regulation continues to apply in gastronomy, hotels and universities.
- In clubs and discotheques, the 2G-plus rule remains.
- In the leisure sector, the access restriction is still 2G.
- The applicable FFP2 mask requirement remains in place. The only change is in schools.
- Tests are still compulsory in both schools and day-care centres.
Some corona relaxations are still coming for the Free State
Despite the high number of infections and Söder’s concern, masks will no longer be compulsory in primary and special schools from next Monday (March 21), a week later (from March 28) also in the 5th and 6th grades. 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. An overview of which rules then no longer apply:
- 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
- The ban on partying in public places and selling alcohol
For folk festivals, the same rules as in gastronomy should apply until April 2nd, then all the requirements will no longer apply here either. However, the decision as to which folk festivals take place is not made by the state government. This also applies to the Wiesn in Munich. “The decision as to whether the Oktoberfest will take place in Munich * is of course a decision by the state capital,” said Head of State Florian Herrmann (CSU).
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. However, the Bavarian cabinet will not go this route for the time being. The further procedure after April 2nd is also open, whether there will be a “Freedom Day” on April 3rd or not remains to be seen. That would have to be decided in good time against the background of further developments, said Herrmann. “As of today”, a hotspot regulation would have to be made for each district individually. (tkip/dpa) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubrics: © Bernd Weißbrod
