From Saturday, April 24, new rules will be valid throughout the country in the implementation of measures against coronavirus
This week, the German Bundestag approved changes to the Infection Protection Act as a measure to fight the coronavirus pandemic. As of today, April 23, the law enters into force in its new form. And the rule for a general “emergency brake” is valid from Saturday, April 24. This enables the individual municipalities to assess the current situation and to adapt their rules to the “sudden brake”. The Law on Protection against Infections will be valid until June 30, 2021. Until that date, all municipalities must comply with it and apply the rules.
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Uniform rules for the whole of Germany
What does a universal “emergency brake” mean? After its entry into force, it will be valid for the whole of Germany. In districts with a high number of new infections, evening classes will be introduced, and there will be even stricter restrictions on shops and distance learning.
Here is exactly how the situation will change according to the number of new infections:
If in a county on three consecutive days the number of new infections on a seven-day basis exceeds 100 per 100,000 inhabitants, an evening hour comes into force – a ban on leaving home from 10 pm to 5 am. Unaccompanied health walks and runs will be allowed until midnight. The stores will only allow customers with a negative test and a pre-booked time. And schools will be able to move to a blended form of learning – face-to-face and distance.
If the number of new infections in three consecutive days on a seven-day basis exceeds 150 per 100,000 inhabitants, only the ordering of goods and taking from there will be allowed in the shops.
If the new infections in three consecutive days on a seven-day basis are over 165 per 100,000 inhabitants, schools will switch to distance learning. Exceptions will apply to the last classes.
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What does this mean for contacts, sports and work from home?
If the number of new infections in three consecutive days on a seven-day basis exceeds 100 per 100,000 inhabitants, a household can meet only one more person, but this does not include children under 14 years of age. This rule for contacts and gatherings also applies to athletes. There are exceptions only for professional athletes and athletes. Children up to 14 years old will be able to practice non-contact sports outside in groups of up to 5 people. For all others: the sport is allowed only for two or with members of your own household.
According to the changes in the Infection Protection Act, when it comes to office work or comparable activity, employers must offer workers to switch to home office mode if there are no justified obstacles. Employees must agree if they do not have serious arguments against working from home.
The material is published in DW
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