Update, March 14, 12:48: Many newly infected people in Cologne came from risk areas
The city of Cologne confirmed the 154th coronavirus case on Saturday afternoon. Many of the newly infected had previously been in foreign risk areas such as Italy, Tyrol or Madrid. The city therefore calls all people who come to Cologne from an area with an increased corona risk to a voluntary quarantine of 14 days.
The city of Cologne tested 220 people on Friday for the corona virus. A diagnostic center in the city’s right bank of the Rhine is also to be launched shortly.
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Update, March 14, 12.35 p.m .: Land is expanding aid offers for companies
In view of the Corona crisis, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is expanding its offers of help for entrepreneurs, founders and the self-employed who are in need. “The corona crisis is causing increasing concern for the economy: Companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are faced with canceled events, declining sales, interrupted supply chains and delayed payments, which can significantly reduce their liquidity,” said Minister of Economic Affairs Andreas Pinkwart (FDP) on Saturday.
In order to be effective as quickly as possible, express guarantees were provided, which the guarantee bank could approve within 72 hours. Small businesses, start-ups and companies that provide training could receive fresh equity capital without a house bank and without collateral, thus closing gaps sustainably.
Companies can use other public financing options such as short-time work benefits to bridge bottlenecks.
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NRW Minister for Economic Affairs Andreas Pinkwart (59) promised the companies further support on Saturday.
Update, March 14, 12.20 p.m .: International riding tournament takes place in Dortmund
While sports events have been canceled everywhere in Germany due to the spread of the corona virus, the international horse show continues in Dortmund. The test also took place on Saturday. The organizer can carry out the tournament according to its own statements because it takes into account the decree of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Accordingly, events with more than 1000 visitors are prohibited. The tournament in the Westfalenhalle has riders, officials and employees, but no spectators, so the number is not reached.
“A cancellation would have cost us around 600,000 euros,” said tournament director Kasper Funke. “With the possibility to run the tournament under certain conditions, the loss can at least be reduced. At the same time, we were able to implement the requirements of the authorities with a clear conscience.”
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Update, March 14, 12:08 p.m .: Quarantine and extensive tests at SC Paderborn
After the positive test for the coronavirus from defender Luca Kilian, the club SC Paderborn informed about extensive measures on Saturday afternoon. A 14-day domestic quarantine now applies to all those involved who were in direct contact with the defending central defender Luca Kilian.
On Saturday morning there were also 45 tests for possible infections in the training center. All people currently in quarantine should be retested in just under two weeks. The training operations of the SC Paderborn will initially be canceled.
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Update, March 14, 11:34 am: Taxi drivers with significant losses
Some sectors of the economy are particularly hard hit by the corona crisis. Taxi drivers have complained of a significant drop in orders since last week. The main reason is the absence of events.
A small survey at the Neumarkt in Cologne showed that the waiting times for drivers have increased significantly. Instead of an hour, it sometimes takes two to three hours at the moment to be able to transport the next passenger. The situation was even worse for the colleagues at the airport.
And some drivers also respond with hygiene measures. Taxi driver Horst (79) disinfects every bill. In the face of the crisis, he hopes to receive political support.
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Taxi driver Horst (79) has much less to do than usual because of the corona crisis.
Update, March 14, 11:12: Little action on Cologne’s Schildergasse
The measures to contain the coronavirus show their consequences in the city of Cologne on Saturday morning. There are far fewer people on the popular Schildergasse shopping street than on a “normal Saturday”, although most shops have been open since 10 a.m.
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Cologne’s Schildergasse on Saturday morning.
Update, March 14, 9:57 a.m .: Bonn is also setting up a diagnostic center
Diagnostic centers for potential coronavirus infections are being established in an increasing number of cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. There suspected cases can be tested for the virus under special protective measures.
The city of Bonn has set up a center in Bad Godesberg (Gotenstraße 7-9) for this case. Operation starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The city of Bonn points out that a diagnosis by a resident doctor, the ambulance service or hospitals via the health department is necessary after making an appointment by phone.
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Update, March 14, 9.22 a.m .: Vacationers should note the entry requirements
Anyone traveling soon or planning a vacation should note the country’s entry requirements. Because of the corona virus, there are currently many changes to the regulations. The flight status should also be checked before arriving at the airport.
Cologne / Bonn Airport refers to the current example of Turkey. As of this Saturday, the country will stop flights to Germany.
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Update, March 14, 8.25 a.m .: Many cities close cultural institutions
In addition to Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf and other cities have closed their cultural institutions. In Düsseldorf, this affects the drama theater, opera, muses, VHS, city libraries, gyms and district sports halls. As of this Saturday, Bonn has also banned the operation of dance events, discotheques, clubs and cinemas.
Since the individual cities handle the restrictions differently, citizens should in doubt get information online about the current cultural offer.
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Update, March 14, 8.09 a.m .: NRW is waiting for a million protective masks
The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Health is waiting for the delivery of one million protective masks ordered in the Corona crisis. “Due to the already known worldwide export restrictions, it is not yet possible to predict when the masks will be available,” said a ministry spokeswoman for the “Rheinische Post”. “According to the supplier, another 20,000 masks should be delivered promptly.”
Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) had announced in early March that it would procure one million protective masks for doctors and hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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An FFP2 respirator lies on a table in a pharmacy (archive picture).
Update, March 13, 10 p.m .: Paderborn professional infected
There is the first Corona case in the Bundesliga. Rising star SC Paderborn announced on Friday evening that German U21 international Luca Kilian had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The tests on the first Paderborn players had previously been carried out because SCP trainer Steffen Baumgart had shown some symptoms of infection by the virus during the day and was therefore conducted as a suspected case.
After the 20-year-old was infected, the bottom of the Bundesliga table “will take extensive measures to contain the corona virus in close coordination with the local authorities”, the club said on Friday evening. This also means that all players and members of the function team have to undergo a test for the corona virus on Saturday.
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Update, March 13, 9:20 p.m .: Kindergartens in Cologne and Siegen are still open next week
Despite an entry ban announced by the NRW state government, daycare centers in Cologne and Siegen will initially remain open at the beginning of next week. The city of Cologne announced on Friday evening that all daycare centers were still open on Monday and Tuesday. “However, the city appeals to parents to take care of their children at home on these two days if possible,” it said.
The district of Siegen-Wittgenstein declared that all day care centers and day care centers should be open on Monday. This applies to the children, “whose parents have not been able to find childcare in such a short time”. The decision of the state government presented “many parents, but also the youth welfare offices of the city of Siegen and the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein with a great challenge,” it said. How to proceed afterwards should be discussed on Monday.
Because of the spread of the corona virus, the state government had announced on Friday that all daycare centers nationwide should remain closed from Monday.
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Update, March 13, 7:03 p.m .: The number of infected people in Cologne is increasing
As the city of Cologne announced on Friday evening, there are now 123 confirmed cases. The number has almost doubled. 117 people are in quarantine at home, five are being treated in hospital. One person has already been released from quarantine.
In addition, it was announced that the city museums, the town houses, the VHS, the city library and the Rheinische Musikschule will close from Saturday, March 14, 2020 through April 19, 2020 inclusive.
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Update, March 13, 5:57 p.m .: Does Corona provide a break for reflection?
The psychologist and bestselling author Stephan Grünewald (“What makes Germany tick”) can also benefit from a partial paralysis of public life by the corona virus. It could lead to a pause for reflection, the founder and head of the Rheingold market research institute in Cologne told the German press agency. More on this >> here.
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Update, March 13, DFL ceases game operations for the time being
The German Football League has stopped playing in the Bundesliga and the 2nd league because of the coronavirus pandemic. The game day planned for this weekend will be postponed, the DFL announced on Friday.
The planned home games of the North Rhine-Westphalia Bundesliga teams SC Paderborn, 1. FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund are canceled.
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Update, March 13, 3:45 p.m .: Paderborn’s trainer Baumgart tested negative
Paderborn’s trainer Steffen Baumgart is not infected with the corona virus. “Wonderful news from our coach: Steffen has tested negative,” wrote the Bundesliga soccer team on Friday afternoon. “But there are still results from players pending.”
Football Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf calls for the cancellation of the Friday game against SC Paderborn because of concerns about possible coronavirus infections. A club spokesman confirmed the report, according to which Paderborn also support this application with the German Football League. The game should start at 8.30 p.m.
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Update, March 13, 3:36 p.m .: Cologne police crisis team starts work
As the Cologne police announced on Friday, an internal crisis team was commissioned on Thursday with the necessary planning for the effects of the corona pandemic. With more than 5000 police officers, the Cologne Police Authority is the largest in NRW.
Police President Uwe Jacob said: “I want us to do everything we can to minimize the risk of infection for our own employees, to minimize the impact on the police system and to ensure security in Cologne and Leverkusen as usual. We can all contribute to curbing the spread of the virus. “
On Wednesday (March 18), the Cologne police force will train 60 staff members of the authority to help pandemic workers. If necessary, these helpers are used, among other things, as multipliers in hygiene matters and for entrance controls. The emergency vehicles are also equipped with protective equipment such as breathing masks.
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Update, March 13, 3:25 p.m .: Laschet: NRW is facing the greatest test in the country’s history
According to Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU), North Rhine-Westphalia is probably “facing the greatest test in the country’s history” due to the spread of the corona virus. “We are dealing with an invisible opponent, the fight of which will lead our country to the edge of its powers,” said Laschet on Friday in Düsseldorf.
Experts estimate that “a large number of the population” in NRW will become infected with the corona virus in the next one to two years – “and that in several waves,” said Laschet.
The course of the disease is not threatening for most infected people, but a very high number of severe courses can still be expected. Therefore, the “weakest in our society” must now be protected.
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Update, March 13, 3:11 p.m .: Laschet demands cancellation of unnecessary events
NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) has called for a small event to be avoided due to the risk of the corona virus.
“Events with fewer than 1000 participants should be canceled if they are not necessary,” said Laschet on Friday in Düsseldorf. Large events with more than 1000 participants are already prohibited in NRW.
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Update, March 13, 3:06 pm: All trade fairs in NRW canceled
No further trade fairs will take place in North Rhine-Westphalia until further notice. “All trade fairs have to be canceled,” said NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) on Friday. A number of trade fairs had already been canceled in the past few days.
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Update, March 13, 2:59 p.m .: Laschet: Postpone operations, let social contacts rest
Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) committed North Rhine-Westphalia to the cessation of all social contacts in times of the spread of the corona virus. But: “Retreating into your own four walls must not go hand in hand with human retreat,” said Laschet on Friday in Düsseldorf. The country is facing a huge test, probably the largest in the country’s history.
All operations that are not absolutely necessary in North Rhine-Westphalia are to be postponed for the foreseeable future due to the corona crisis.
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NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (59) made a statement on the corona crisis on Friday.
Update, March 13, 2:51 p.m .: Kindergartens in NRW will also be closed from Monday
The daycare centers in North Rhine-Westphalia will also be closed from Monday due to the spread of the corona virus. Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) said on Friday. Care facilities should be created for children of doctors and nursing staff in every city and district.
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Update, March 13, 2:47 pm: NRW universities postpone semester start
Due to the spread of the corona virus, the start of the summer semester at North Rhine-Westphalian universities is being postponed until April 19, the end of the Easter holidays. The state government announced on Friday. The summer semester was originally scheduled to begin at the technical colleges on March 23 and at the universities on April 6.
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Update, March 13, 13:53: Game operations in the Regionalliga West suspended
The West German Football Association (WDFV) initially stopped playing in the Regionalliga West due to the effects of the corona virus until March 22. On Friday, the North Rhine-Westphalian regional association announced that the entire game operations under the responsibility of the WDFV should now be suspended. This measure affects the 29th and 30th matchday of the Regionalliga West and the catch-up games originally scheduled for March 18. In the coming week, the WDFV wants to discuss the next steps together with the clubs of the fourth highest season.
In addition, it was determined that there would be no games in the women’s regional league west and in the youth regional leagues until the end of the Easter holidays. Futsal play was suspended until further notice.
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Update, March 13, 1:51 pm: District of Heinsberg asks the Bundeswehr for emergency aid
The district of Heinsberg, which is particularly affected by the spread of the coronavirus, has asked the Bundeswehr for emergency aid. It is about laboratory capacities in order to get results in a timely manner, said a district spokeswoman on Friday.
“People who have been infected must be tested again before they are released from quarantine. That is why there is now a whole bunch of further tests,” said the spokeswoman.
The spokeswoman could not say whether the Bundeswehr has already responded to the request. According to data from Friday, 553 people in the district of Heinsberg are now infected with the novel virus.
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With a laboratory test smears can be tested for the coronavirus.
Increased controls in the border area
In the border area from North Rhine-Westphalia to the Netherlands, there is more control due to the coronavirus epidemic. “It is not a matter of reintroducing border controls,” said a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Berlin. “Nor is it a matter of systematic controls, but rather a reinforcement of the random control measures in the border area.”
It is a matter of taking a closer look at cross-border traffic, for example by talking to travelers in order to be able to better track travel routes, for example. “The focus is on the random control measures that take place in close proximity to the internal borders.”
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Clinics in Cologne urgently need blood donations
In view of the rising Corona cases, there are clearly fewer Blood donation submitted. A group of clinics in Cologne therefore asked for donations on Friday afternoon. Due to the high hygiene standards, there is no risk of infection for blood donors.
Blood donations can be made at the hospital in Cologne-Merheim and in the city of Cologne (Breitestrasse 2-4). The donors receive a small allowance.
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In Cologne, the clinics call for blood donations (archive picture).
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