The German authorities are intensifying the fight against the corona virus.
The crisis management team newly set up by the Federal Government met in Berlin on Friday to discuss measures to contain the virus crisis.
At the top of the experts’ agenda is the possible cancellation of major events in Germany!
Who is on the crisis team?
Have the lead Thomas Steffen, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, and Helmut Teichmann, State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior. State secretary Tamara Zieschang and representatives of the Crisis Management Unit are from the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Federal Ministry of Finance is appointed by the State Secretary Werner Gatzer be represented.
Secretary of State for the Federal Foreign Office Antje Leendertse part. The Federal Ministry of Defense has a department head present the findings. There are also experts from disaster relief, the federal police, etc.
What measures is the crisis team taking?
First, the Robert Koch Institute gave a current assessment of the situation for all participants in today’s meeting! On this basis, guidelines are to be developed for all authorities involved.
► Interruption of infection routes to Germany: According to a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior, “expanding measures in cross-border traffic” is a priority. The order or voluntary commitment of companies in air / ship traffic or rail / bus traffic announced on Thursday for the “exit cards” is to be discussed. The location of ALL travelers is to be documented by air, sea or land.
The Federal Ministry of Transport is responsible for this, which is to letter the companies concerned: “So aviation, shipping, rail and bus, including DB AG, bus companies, transport associations”, said a ministry spokeswoman.
For example, the German air navigation service provider informed NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) about all so-called exit cards for all airlines that fly to destinations in Germany in civil aviation.
► International location: The return of Germans who are abroad is also part of the meeting. “The Federal Foreign Office is responsible for assessing the situation in other countries and for consular support for German nationals abroad,” said a spokesman for BILD.
► Dealing with major events: The advice should also be about developing criteria for major events. These are intended to help local authorities to take concrete measures. “There will be no recommendation,” said a spokeswoman. “The decision remains on the spot.”
“Mass events can help spread the virus faster. Depending on the individual case, the cancellation, postponement or reorganization of mass events can therefore be justified, ”said Hanno Kautz, spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Health about BILD.
But when are events considered to be at risk?
“A larger number of people, people from regions with a high incidence of coronavirus, participation of people from other known risk areas, high number and intensity of contact options, close interaction between the participants (e.g. dancing),” said the ministry spokesman.
The measures could range from “adequate ventilation of the event location” to the complete cancellation of the event.
“At trade fairs, congresses or larger events, the possibility of traceability of contact persons is extremely difficult and, under unfavorable conditions, it can be transferred to many people.”
Who is actually responsible for what?
Which activities fall within the competence of the federal government, can they actually be taken on by the ministries represented in the crisis team set up?
Answer: none! Protection against infection is a matter for the federal states, the health authorities of the federal states ultimately make the decisions. The crisis team only gives the direction.
“The state governments determine the competent authorities by ordinance,” says the Infection Protection Act.
The general responsibility therefore mostly lies with the health offices of the federal states, the concerns about security also sometimes with the local regulatory authorities, i.e. the police. In the worst case, it can use coercion when people refuse to be quarantined.
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