Status: 10.12.2020 11:23 a.m.
Lower Saxony is partially withdrawing the relaxation of the corona rules planned for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In addition, students can be exempted from classroom teaching starting next week.
From December 19 to January 10, the current contact rules in the country will remain in place, said Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) on Thursday in Parliament. A maximum of five people from two households plus their children under 14 years of age are allowed to meet in public and private spaces. According to Weil, this regulation should also apply to New Year’s Eve and the New Year. “This is a turning point and we are well aware of that,” said the head of government. But the turn of the year in particular poses a very special risk for the infection process: “We mustn’t do that this year.” The state government wants to allow family get-togethers with up to ten relatives and their partners between December 24th and 26th – not counting children under 14 years of age.
“It’s about human life”
Christmas and New Year’s Eve should be different this year, said Weil. But compared to a virus that got out of control, that seems like the lower price tag. “At the end of the day, it’s about protecting human life – and nothing less,” said Weil. Small increases in the number of infections must also be taken very seriously, otherwise it could quickly turn into a large increase. That shows the experience.
Holidays as an opportunity and a risk
In this regard, the holidays are both an opportunity and a risk. On the one hand, get-togethers and celebrations where alcohol flows are the ideal basis for the corona virus. On the other hand, the days before and after the festival are also the days of general deceleration in our society. That is why the state government wants to follow the advice of many voices, including those from science, and create the conditions for very quiet, quiet holidays and a particularly quiet, calm New Year. “What we are doing now over Christmas and New Year’s Eve and into the New Year is a very important act of preventive fire protection for me,” said the Prime Minister.
Exemption from classroom teaching possible from December 14th
When it comes to reducing contacts, the school area cannot be left out, said Weil. Therefore, parents should be given the opportunity to have their children exempt from lessons as early as next week. So far this was only planned for the days before the early start of the vacation on December 17th and 18th. On the one hand, this would make schools emptier, said Weil. On the other hand, parents could decide for themselves whether their children go to school or use distance learning opportunities at home. Overall, however, there is still no evidence that schools are infection drivers, said Weil. This observation coincides with studies from different federal states.
What’s next with the trade?
There will probably be major discussions about the trade sector at another federal-state conference, said Weil. In no other area are agreements between the countries as important as in this, according to the Prime Minister. Because if Lower Saxony makes a different decision than another federal state, this could trigger unwanted customer flows. That is why the state government has not yet made a final decision on this area at its cabinet meeting on Thursday, said Weil.
The federal-state conference is expected at the weekend
According to Weil, three options are conceivable for trading. One possibility is that there is no closure at all. A second possibility are closings between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The third option would be for trading to remain closed from Christmas through January 10th. Weil made his position clear: “In Lower Saxony we do not believe that the” Christmas business should be stopped ahead of time. “According to him, the state leaders will probably discuss the next steps with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) at the weekend.
“In 2021 we will bring the coronavirus under control”
Weil once again appealed to citizens to continue to fight the virus – on their own terms. “Let us take advantage of the opportunity in the weeks ahead and avoid the risks, and then we will have a good start into the new year.” And the Prime Minister is confident for the coming year: “2021 will be the year in which we can bring the coronavirus under control and return to our normal lives.”
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