Federal President Steinmeier signed the new Infection Protection Act on Thursday. For Lower Saxony, the tightening meant easing opportunities, said Prime Minister Weil (SPD).
He went on to say that the new regulations for infection protection were “not a big hit”. He considers the exit restrictions, for example, constitutionally questionable. The so-called federal emergency brake, which comes into force on Saturday, is limited to June 30th. It comes into play as soon as a municipality has a seven-day incidence of more than 100 for at least three days at a time. Today Lower Saxony publishes the state’s new Corona regulation – taking into account the federal rules. This is initially valid until May 9th.
Federal President Steinmeier has signed the Infection Protection Act with the “Federal Emergency Brake”. This provides for uniform corona rules throughout Germany – from an incidence of 100 (April 22, 2021) more
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How many people are allowed to meet at what incidence? What rights do vaccinated people have? The rules at a glance. (04/21/2021) more
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“Federal emergency brake”: These rules apply
Strict contact restrictions: Members of a household are allowed to join only with one other person to meet.
Night curfew: Contrary to what was initially planned, it should not start at 9 p.m., but only from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. A curfew will apply in the affected districts and urban districts. Only people who can make “justified exceptions” are allowed to stay outside – for example, for compelling professional reasons or emergencies. Jogging and walks should be allowed until midnight.
Shops have to close – except for the shops for daily needs such as supermarkets, drugstores or pharmacies. In retail, the collection of ordered goods (“Click & Collect”) and with an incidence up to 150, shopping with test and appointment booking (“Click & Meet”) will still be possible. Leisure and cultural facilities and restaurants are not allowed to open.
Schools: Face-to-face teaching is only possible if all students can be tested at least twice a week. According to the federal rules is from one Incidence of 100 alternating classes required. At a Value over 165 have to close schools and on Distance teaching rearrange.
Job: In the Infection Protection Act is Duty to work from home anchored. Employers must offer this “if there are no compelling operational reasons to the contrary”. If it is not possible to work from home, employers must offer tests.
Sport: For children up to the age of 14, sport should continue to be possible in groups.
The country wants to adjust the rules in May and allow alternating lessons even with high incidences – teachers warn. (04/22/2021) more
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Discussion about the limit for switching to distance teaching
The plan to leave schools in Lower Saxony open even with higher corona numbers is controversial. Education Minister Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD) has promised that alternating lessons should also be possible above the incidence value of 100. The minister of education wants to use the scope of the federal emergency brake. Only from an incidence of 165 would all schools switch to distance teaching. The Landesschülerrat welcomes this. Many pupils have not entered the schools since Christmas because their districts were permanently above the limit of 100, which could not stay that way, said the deputy chairwoman, Marike Leder. The Association of Lower Saxony Teachers (VNL), on the other hand, considers opening at a value of over 100 to be irresponsible and premature. The Greens and the FDP in the state parliament accuse the Minister of Education of a sluggish course that unsettles parents, students and teachers.
Crisis team leader: reached the top of the third wave
Meanwhile, the Lower Saxony crisis team apparently sees the third wave of pandemics largely under control – despite the continued rise in numbers and the tense situation in the state’s clinics. “The prognosis is that we have reached the top,” said Heiger Scholz. “At the moment there is no reason to believe that we will see a drastic increase in the hospitals.” Scholz referred to the nationwide seven-day incidence, which at 125.5 on Thursday is at a level that has been stable for a long time.
