Actually, almost all Corona rules should fall from Sunday. But the incidences are increasing across Bavaria. Therefore, many provisions should remain until April 2nd.
Some hope for a “Freedom Day”, others fear a sharp increase in the number of infections: As of today, according to plans by federal government numerous corona restrictions are lifted. However, not yet Bayern. At a press conference on Tuesday, Florian Herrmann, head of the State Chancellery, announced that many Corona rules remain.
Corona rules in Bavaria: Mask requirements and tests in daycare centers and schools remain
This applies, for example, to the obligation to wear masks, the 2G and 3G regulations and tests in schools and day-care centers. All of these provisions apply beyond March 20 – provisionally until April 2. This means that the previous Bavarian Infection Protection Ordinance will remain in place to a large extent. Citizens must therefore continue to wear an FFP2 mask in retail or on public transport. Those who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative still have access to the catering trade.
However, there are innovations in some areas. Pupils in elementary schools are no longer required to wear masks from March 21st. Herrmann justifies this step with the regular tests in the facilities. A week later, children in fifth and sixth grade should no longer have to wear a mask in place. A mask must still be worn in all other places in the school, such as in corridors or toilets. Minister of Education Michael Piazolo emphasizes that this is only possible if there is no corona case in the corresponding group. In day-care centers, children no longer have to be cared for in fixed groups.
In addition, contact restrictions for unvaccinated people and access restrictions in shops will no longer apply. Folk festivals and fairs are also allowed again. According to Herrmann, marquees are treated like restaurants or pubs and the 3G rule applies there. All of this is valid until April 2nd. This is how long the transition period of the federal government applies. How things will continue after this period is currently unclear.
Video: dpa
According to Markus Blume, Minister of State for Science and Culture, artists in Bavaria should continue to be supported. That is why the Corona aid programs for artists and cultural workers are being extended. This applies, among other things, to the program for freelance artists and the program for amateur music. In addition, the state government is providing up to three million euros for further support measures.
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Bavaria’s Health Minister Holetschek had already asked the traffic light government in Berlin to change the plans for the Corona rules. “The federal government really needs to improve and should extend the measures nationwide by another two or three months and not shift the responsibility to the federal states while the infection situation is getting worse,” he told our editorial team.
The cabinet meeting in Bavaria on Tuesday was not just about Corona. Also the war in the Ukraine was discussed – especially with regard to the refugees who come to Germany. According to Piazolo, Ukrainian children and young people should be integrated into the German school system in various ways, for example in so-called welcome groups. There they will be looked after educationally and prepared for everyday life in German schools.
Markus Söder makes a government statement on Corona in Bavaria and the war in Ukraine
In the afternoon announced Prime Minister Markus Söder also a government statement. He also criticized the federal government for the planned easing from March 20th. Söder called the applicable transitional period until April 2 “the last chance” to curb contagion somewhat. In addition, the Prime Minister spoke out against the hotspot regulation, which is also to come into force on March 20. Söder described the criteria for when a district or city is considered a hotspot as too imprecise.
He also commented on the war in Ukraine and emphasized that Bavaria was on the side of the refugees. At the same time, Söder made it clear that the Free State had made advance payments when financing aid. In this context, the Prime Minister sees the federal government as having a duty to act.
The Bavarian economy is also feeling the sanctions against Russia, said Söder. For example, because supply chains have collapsed. That is why the Prime Minister wants to expand short-time work and promised possible help for affected companies. Söder was concerned with independence from Russia when it came to energy. As he has repeatedly emphasized, the Prime Minister sees an extension of the operating times for German nuclear power plants as a way of lowering energy prices and finding alternative energy supplies.
All information about the escalation can be found at any time in our live blog on the war in Ukraine.
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