Status: 11.03.2021 9:23 a.m.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO officially declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic. It’s spring break in Hamburg right now. At this point in time, 35 Hamburg residents are infected with Corona.
Worldwide travel warnings leave Hamburg Airport orphaned.
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The first confirmed coronavirus case in Hamburg is an employee of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). The case will be reported on February 28th. From this point on, the lives of the people of Hamburg will change dramatically. The clinic management emphasizes: “The UKE is still fully capable of action”. When the WHO proclaimed the pandemic, the Hamburg Senate decided on the same day to cancel major events with more than 1,000 people. This also applies to theater performances, concerts and larger demonstrations. One day later, the spring dome is canceled and cultural institutions stop playing. In the future, football games will take place without an audience.
A few days later, Hamburg’s schools and daycare centers shut down regular operations. The fish market is canceled: “For the first time in over 300 years,” emphasizes the Altona district office. The Elbphilharmonie is also closing its doors, and many cruises cannot take place or have to be canceled. Vacationers are asked to start their return journey, some of them have to be fetched back from abroad by the federal government in the period that follows.
Gradual closings, many cancellations
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Playgrounds are closed.
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On March 17, Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) announced, one day after negotiations by the federal and state governments, that most retail stores would also have to close: “We want to slow the spread of the virus,” he says. Exceptions are supermarkets and other shops that serve to supply people. The people of Hamburg are starting to hoard: toilet paper, yeast, flour and pasta will be hard to come by in the coming days. Restaurants and pubs are only allowed to be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., playgrounds are closed. All events are canceled. Hamburg’s finance and district offices will also close for general public traffic until further notice. Many negotiations at the Hamburg courts are also being postponed. The 831st Hamburg port birthday has also been canceled. Hamburg clubs worry about their existence.
The doctor’s call Hamburg is quickly overloaded
Only a few parents send their children to the emergency care of the daycare centers, the fear of the new virus is great. The doctor’s call in Hamburg is overloaded in mid-March, too many people call: there are over 20,000 daily at peak times. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians asks that you only dial the emergency number if you have serious symptoms. The first financial aid is initiated for companies. The people of Hamburg stand on their balconies in the evenings and clap for the nursing and clinic staff.
On March 18, the Eurovision Song Contest will be canceled, after all, Hamburg’s Hagenbeck Zoo will also close indefinitely. Animal shelters also no longer allow the public. Homeless facilities have limited access. According to the Hamburg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVH), Hamburg was the epicenter of the epidemic at this time, with around 20 sick people per 100,000 inhabitants. In Germany there are only about half as many. On this day, the health authority reports 102 new infections. The first two sessions of the citizenship take place in the Hamburg town hall without an audience. Nobody there can remember that there has ever been a session without an audience.
Emergency aid and special loans
In the coming days there will be good news – with mostly negative headlines – some landowners are foregoing rent, the job center is expanding its hotlines. Immediate aid is decided for the culture, associations can take out special loans.
The Hamburg police punish violations of the Corona rules, the Moia transport service will cease operations on March 20. The first drive-in test station is opened, the number of people infected with corona is now 664. Gatherings of more than six people are prohibited, all restaurants are closed, and the federal and state governments are considering curfews. Hamburg’s health authorities are increasing their staff.
Video messages from the church
The first parishes broadcast their sermons by video – to give their members spiritual support, for example the St. Martinus parish in Eppendorf does it on March 22nd. And Hamburg’s evangelical bishop Kirsten Fehrs recently described it in a video message as “everyday worship” to be mindful and to protect others from being infected with the corona virus and to help those in their personal environment who are now supporting need.
Restaurants have to close
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Gastronomy businesses have to close in March.
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On March 23, the restrictions will be tightened: Now gatherings of more than two people will be banned throughout Germany. Relatives who live in their own household are excluded. Gastronomy businesses will be closed. This does not apply to the delivery and collection of take-away meals for consumption at home. Service companies in the field of personal care such as hairdressers, cosmetic studios, massage practices, tattoo studios and similar businesses will also be closed. Burials can only take place in the closest circle. There are now a total of 1,200 corona cases in Hamburg. “We are taking these very far-reaching measures so that we can treat those who are seriously ill well in the hospitals,” says Mayor Tschentscher, explaining the renewed tightening in the Hamburg Journal. First corona death, volunteer helpers in clinics
On March 25, the first coronavirus-related death was confirmed in Hamburg. More than 1,000 voluntary helpers have registered at the hospitals, and the clinics are preparing for further corona cases. The needy are cared for in the Elbschlosskeller and Hamburg decides that the Abitur exams take place. These measures will not be relaxed again until April 20. The corona pandemic continues to preoccupy people around the world.
Further information
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