A good three years after the start of the pandemic, further corona rules are in effect. In addition, the sale of the 49-euro ticket starts and there are changes in the payroll.
The end of nuclear power in Germany has been debated for a long time, and in April the time has come: the remaining nuclear power plants will go offline. Not the only change in the new month. An overview:
nuclear phase-out in April
The remaining nuclear power plants in Germany will be shut down in mid-April. The Neckarwestheim 2, Isar 2 and Emsland power plants were originally scheduled to go offline at the end of 2022. After a word of authority from Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the traffic light decided last year to let the nuclear power plants run beyond the end of the year in order to ensure security of supply in the energy crisis.
Sale of the 49 euro ticket
The sale of the 49-euro ticket is scheduled to officially start on April 3rd. From May 1st, customers will probably be able to use the nationwide local transport ticket on buses and trains. However, the Federal Council still has to approve it at its next meeting at the end of March.
Corona rules expire
Other corona rules are expiring: Visitors only have to wear a mask in practices, nursing homes and clinics until April 7th. The mask requirement for employees and residents of these facilities fell in March.
More net salary from April
Wage tax deduction processes are changing for employees and civil servants. From April 1st, they will receive more net income with the same gross salary. All employers must take into account higher tax allowances for employees from the date. The lump sum for employees will be raised to 1,230 euros and the relief amount for single parents will be set at 4,260 euros. As a result, fewer taxes are paid and a slightly higher net salary is paid out.
blood donation
Homosexual men should no longer be excluded from donating blood across the board. The amended Transfusion Act expressly states that sexual orientation must not be taken into account when deciding on a possible exclusion. The same applies to trans* people.
Nonetheless, sexual activity continues to play a role. Men with frequently changing sex partners are still not allowed to donate blood. This is checked by self-assessment using a questionnaire.
Major construction sites at DB
On April 1st, the renovation of the Kassel-Fulda high-speed line will start Deutsche Bahn announced. On the route, 163 kilometers of tracks and 70 switches are to be renewed. All trains are to be diverted. Construction work is scheduled to last until December 9th.
The expansion of the Dresden railway also begins in April. New tracks are created, and level crossings are replaced by railway bridges or road overpasses. There are also detours, longer journey times and no stops.
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