Status: 03/15/2021 2:18 p.m.
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The corona incidences are rising again in many regions. That is why the federal government calls on the states to implement the emergency brake that has been decided. Because not all of them stick to the agreement to reintroduce stricter rules.
In view of the increasing corona numbers, the federal government has urgently called on the states to comply with the emergency brake that has been adopted. “We have to implement the resolution of March 3rd, not only in its pleasant passages, but also in its difficult ones,” said government spokesman Steffen Seibert.
The federal and state governments had decided that the lockdown rules would come into force again if the incidence in a state or region rises to over 100 on three consecutive days, i.e. there are more than 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. “This decision must be implemented,” said Seibert. “When you make decisions, you always assume that they will then become reality. It is up to the federal states to implement them,” said Seibert. The federal government stands by this decision.
“As the federal government, we recognize the dangerousness of the current situation, and everyone should,” emphasized Seibert. “Rising incidences, rising case numbers, especially in the younger population, no more decline in the occupancy of intensive care beds – these are unpleasant developments to which we must all react together.”
Some counties do not activate the emergency brake
But not all apparently stick to the agreement. Two districts in Brandenburg had announced that they would not introduce stricter corona rules despite a seven-day incidence of more than 100. Pirmasens in Rhineland-Palatinate, for example, only pulled the emergency brake with half the force, although the seven-day incidence there has been over 100 for more than three days. Although stricter rules have applied since today, such as contact restrictions in public spaces and when shopping, the shops will remain open.
Even in the largest North Rhine-Westphalian city of Cologne, the corona incidence is now over 100 again. The corona emergency brake will not be activated there for the time being. A spokesman for Lord Mayor Henriette Reker said that they would first like to wait and see whether the value would remain stable and significantly above the mark in the next few days. Further measures may then be expected.
If necessary, it could also be about an adapted test and vaccination strategy. It is conceivable, for example, that negative rapid tests will have to be submitted in more areas than before. On Friday, the city of Cologne’s crisis team had already decided to expand the mask requirement.
Further openings for Easter are still unclear
When asked whether it would be realistic that there would be further openings at Easter, Seibert pointed out that next Monday – two weeks before Easter – the federal and state governments will again discuss the situation and take into account the then prevailing situation. Already this Wednesday there will be a federal-state conference call on the subject of including general practitioners in vaccination.
Seibert also warned the federal states to strictly implement protection and test concepts in schools and kindergartens when opening. Reports of infections in daycare centers are “an alarm signal”. “It shows that openings have an effect on the infection process,” said Seibert. It is an incredibly difficult task to enable schools to run while at the same time ensuring health protection. It is necessary to adhere to protection concepts, to do rapid tests and to vaccinate.
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