The corona virus continues to spread in Germany. The Tübingen company CureVac is researching a vaccine. This could already be available in autumn.
In Germany, more and more federal states are adopting restrictions on public life due to the coronavirus epidemic – curfews are already being imposed in other European countries. Germany started border controls in the north and south on Monday morning. Here you will find the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
14.10 clock: curfew in Spain should take longer
The alarm condition, including curfew, announced on Saturday evening in Spain should last longer than the initially targeted 15 days. Two weeks would “not be enough to win the fight,” said Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos in a radio interview with RTVE on Monday. “It is obvious that we do not have a safe schedule. But if we do not take particularly stringent measures now to stop the virus from spreading and affecting health and life, it will have no effect at all,” said Ábalos.
As part of the so-called alarm status, the third-highest emergency level, most of the shops were closed and public local and long-distance traffic drastically reduced. However, people are allowed to shop in supermarkets and pharmacies and drive to work. The longest possible duration of the alarm condition is actually 15 days – an extension must be approved by parliament, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized in a television speech.
2:05 p.m .: BASF plans to start producing disinfectants
Because of the corona virus crisis, the BASF Group plans to start producing disinfectants later this week. The organizational and technical prerequisites for this are currently being created because disinfectants are not part of the company’s product portfolio, a group spokesman said on Monday in Ludwigshafen.
BASF is currently planning to provide hand disinfectants to hospitals in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. The chemical company had received an exceptional permit from the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Health for its manufacture.
1:55 pm: EU Commission Vice-President Timmermans in quarantine
The Vice President of the EU Commission, Frans Timmermans, has voluntarily quarantined because of the coronavirus crisis. The background is the contact with a person who later tested positive for the virus at an appointment on March 6, the EU Commission said. But Timmermans has no symptoms and says himself: “I feel perfectly fine.” Self-isolation is expected to last until March 20. So far, there is no further suspicion of infection among the 27 commissioners, a spokesman made it clear.
1.30 p.m .: New deaths in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the number of coronavirus deaths has risen to eight. Two more people died in the Heinsberg district in connection with a coronavirus infection. A 94-year-old Heinsberger woman with previous illnesses died of pneumonia in Heinsberg Hospital, the district reported. An 81-year-old patient from Heinsberg died in Erkelenz hospital, also from pneumonia due to a coronavirus infection. “She was already suffering from health problems due to previous illnesses,” it said. In the Heinsberg district alone, there are already six corona deaths. In addition, one infected person died in Essen and one in Düsseldorf.
In Hamburg, too, a human being died for the first time from the consequences of an infection with the novel corona virus. It is a resident of a senior residence, said a spokesman for the health authority. The man had already died on Friday and the virus has now been found posthumously in examinations. The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported on it. This increases the number of deaths in Germany to 18.
1:22 p.m .: Greece imposes quarantine on immigrants
Greece imposes a two-week quarantine on people entering from abroad. Retail stores are expected to remain closed from Wednesday. Supermarkets, pharmacies and food delivery services are excluded, says a government spokesman in Athens.
1:20 pm: US military maneuver “Defender Europe 20” is ended
The US military exercise “Defender Europe 20” is being discontinued due to the corona epidemic. “As far as I know, the Americans have decided to end this exercise in an orderly fashion,” said a spokesman for the Department of Defense in Berlin.
According to him, a maximum of 5,500 US soldiers entered Germany. Ships on the way to Germany had been diverted. From the German side “all active exercise parts” are canceled. The Bundeswehr is now providing logistical support in orderly to return the US forces.
1:04 p.m .: Owner of CureVac believes in vaccine until autumn
SAP co-founder Dietmar Hopp assumes that a vaccine against the corona virus will be available by autumn. “That would have to be available, but it would have to be tested on animals and then on humans for the first time,” said the majority owner of the Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim in a Sport1 interview.
The 79-year-old is majority owner of the Tübingen company CureVac, which has been researching a vaccine since the beginning of the year. US President Donald Trump should have tried unsuccessfully to buy the exclusive right for the new vaccine Hopp. The company has denied reports.
12.55 p.m .: Opel parent PSA closes plants in France
The parent company of the automaker Opel, the French PSA group, closes all plants in France due to the coronavirus pandemic. That was announced on Monday from trade union circles. The US car maker Fiat Chrysler, the French car maker Renault and the French tire manufacturer Michelin had previously announced plant closures due to the Corona crisis.
12.46 p.m .: Company with possible vaccine has not received an offer from Trump
According to the company, the sale of a possible corona vaccine from the Tübingen biotech company CureVac is still completely open. According to media reports, US President Donald Trump tries to secure the drug exclusively for his country and offers the company a large amount for it. “We don’t have an offer,” said a CureVac spokesman on Monday.
CureVac is currently researching a vaccine against the corona virus and has received 8.3 million US dollars in funding from the international vaccine alliance CEPI (“Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations”). The federal government is also a member of CEPI. When a suitable vaccine candidate is found and tested in clinical studies, CureVac wants to manufacture the drug itself.
12.42 p.m .: Local traffic restricted in Saxony
The spread of the corona virus leads to restrictions in local transport in Saxony. “We are thinking about adapting our offer to what is specified,” said Falk Lösch, spokesman for the Dresden Transport Authority, on Monday. Since the beginning of the week there have been no reinforcement trips to transport students in Dresden. In order to curb the spread of the corona virus, compulsory schooling in Saxony has been lifted since Monday.
Just like in Dresden, the doors of buses and trams open automatically in Leipzig. This is to prevent passengers from becoming infected with the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen when the stop request button is pressed. Transport companies in the Free State also ask you to get on the back of the bus and buy tickets before you travel. In Chemnitz, three bus lines have been canceled since Monday, until further notice, said Chemnitzer Verkehrs AG.
12:40: Federal government wants to support the aviation industry
According to industry experts, the corona virus crisis will lead to a huge wave of bankruptcies in the international aviation industry. Most airlines in the world are likely to be insolvent at the end of May, the consulting firm Capa writes on Monday. The consequences of the new corona virus and the various travel restrictions imposed by national governments have already driven numerous companies into technical bankruptcy.
The cash reserves are melting in view of the fleet closures and the less than half full flights, it was said. Any new travel restrictions continue to dry out demand and normalization is not in sight. The Capa Aviation Center criticized the uncoordinated approach of the national governments. For example, US President Donald Trump failed to inform European governments in advance about the de facto ban on EU companies in the United States.
12.35 p.m .: Muslims should not go to the mosque
Muslims in Germany are called on to pray at home instead of in the mosque because of the corona virus. This was announced by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD) and the Coordination Council of Muslims (KRM). They advised all congregations, clubs and associations not to perform the five daily prayers in the mosque. This applies immediately, it said. According to the information, the mosques remain open for pastoral matters and individual appointments.
12:28: Scheuer wants to keep large airports open
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) wants to keep large German airports such as Frankfurt and Munich open in the corona virus crisis. “We are working on maintaining the infrastructure, above all because of supply and logistics,” said Scheuer of the German Press Agency. “I am working closely with the countries and the airport operators on this issue.” The state government of Baden-Württemberg wants to stop operating at all airports in the state because of the corona virus.
12.27 p.m .: Federal Finance Minister Scholz wants to hold on to the debt brake
According to a media report, Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) currently sees no reason to deviate from the debt brake enshrined in the Basic Law because of the corona crisis. “The debt brake is currently not holding us back,” the newspapers of the Funke media group quoted a spokesman for the finance department on Monday. In contrast, Bavaria is demanding more leeway for new borrowing in order to be able to support the economy more effectively in the crisis.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) therefore wants to suspend the debt brake for one year. This should enable aid in the billions. However, the Basic Law already provides for exemptions from the debt brake “for natural disasters or exceptional emergencies that are beyond the control of the state and significantly affect the state’s financial situation”.
12.22 p.m .: Robert Koch Institute warns of “corona parties”
The club is tight, so is the party going on at home? The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) vehemently advised against such considerations in view of the spread of coronavirus. Inviting home or going to other festivals doesn’t make sense in terms of containment efforts, said RKI Vice President Lars Schaadeg in Berlin. “I say this because there are apparently already so-called corona parties when the clubs are closed.” He appealed, “Please don’t do that. Stay at home if possible and limit your social life as much as possible.”
As the numbers continued to rise relatively strongly, it was important to consistently implement the measures that had now been introduced. The extent to which the closure of schools and clubs affects statistics is likely to become apparent after ten to twelve days, Schaade explained. He referred to the incubation period and delay in diagnosis and reporting.
Media reports about statements by a scientist that an unidentified child infected 3000 people for eight weeks, Schaade rejected as “completely unrealistic”. The role children played in passing on the infection has not yet been fully answered for Sars-CoV-2. It was previously clear that children could become infected and pass the virus on, but they would have fewer symptoms. The school closings are therefore “plausible”.
12.20 p.m .: Thousands of Germans are stuck abroad because of the Corona virus
The federal government assumes that several thousand Germans are stuck abroad due to travel restrictions in the wake of the Corona crisis. According to the Federal Foreign Office, citizens in Germany, especially in Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia and the Philippines, have difficulties returning to Germany. One is in intensive discussion with airlines and tour operators “in order to find the most pragmatic and quickest possible solutions” for an exit, said spokeswoman Maria Adebahr in Berlin on Monday.
In recent days, more and more countries have cut flight connections and borders have largely been closed. That is why the Federal Foreign Office has generally advised against traveling abroad since Sunday – an unprecedented process. “The risk that you will no longer be able to start your return journey due to the increasing restrictions is currently high in many destinations,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) wrote on Twitter.
12.09 p.m .: Ryanair wants to leave most of the fleet on the ground
Europe’s largest low-cost airline Ryanair is cutting its flight program by up to 80 percent because of the corona virus crisis. CEO Michael O’Leary wants to defy the challenges and steer the airline safely through the turbulence. “Ryanair is a resilient airline company with a strong balance sheet and substantial cash reserves,” the manager said on Monday. “We can and will survive a longer time with fewer or even no flights if we act appropriately and in good time.”
In April and May, Ryanair is expected to cut flights by up to 80 percent. Within the next seven to ten days, the majority of the fleet in Europe will no longer be able to take off. In the meantime, Ryanair wants to continue the planned flights as far as allowed to bring customers back home. However, some countries have banned international flights. The Austrian airline Lauda and the Polish airline Buzz also belong to Ryanair.
11:58: Cologne Mayor Reker is in quarantine
After contacting a person infected with the corona virus, Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker is now in quarantine at home. Read more about this here.
11:56: Hungary closes the borders too
According to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary will close its borders to travelers from other countries. Orban has also announced in parliament that cultural and sporting events will be canceled and that facilities will be closed. All shops except grocery stores, pharmacies and drug stores must close. The opening times of restaurants are shortened.
11.48 a.m .: Special EU summit on Tuesday via video
Due to the spread of the corona virus, the EU heads of state and government are holding another special summit on Tuesday via video conference. As EU Council President Charles Michel announced on Monday in the online service Twitter, it is about the further procedure to contain the epidemic. He cited in particular the adequate supply of medical equipment, the promotion of research and “limiting the economic consequences” of the epidemic as important goals.
11.45 a.m .: Hundreds of Berlin police officers in quarantine
The number of corona infected and affected people in the Berlin police and fire department has continued to increase. The police now have 7 infected officers and a further 95 are in quarantine, said State Secretary Torsten Akmann (SPD) on the Interior Committee of the House of Representatives. In addition, 202 police officers were in quarantine as a precaution on the orders of the medical officer, and there were 3 returnees from risk areas. In total, 307 police officers and police employees are affected.
There is an infection case at the fire department, 31 people are in quarantine and another employee of the fire department is in preventive quarantine. In addition, there were 6 people who came back from risk areas. A total of 39 people are affected by the fire department. Akmann said: “The health situation has long been a security situation.” The functionality of the police and fire brigade must be preserved.
11:38: German Red Cross asks for blood donations
In the corona crisis, the blood donation service of the German Red Cross (DRK) says it is working flat out to ensure patient care with donated blood. At the moment, the medical director of the DRK blood donation service Northeast, Torsten Tonn, said that the supply of life-saving blood preparations was “still at the lowest level. This could be due to the further spread of the pathogen and the increasing restrictions on public life in many parts of the world.” But “change fundamentally in a short time”. If there were not enough blood donations in the coming days, the supply would “no longer be fully secured within a short period of time”.
The blood donation service North-East urged all healthy citizens to donate blood. When donating blood, there was no increased risk of corona infection, and additional protective measures had been taken. Especially in the current early phase of the epidemic in Germany, numerous donations are important because the spread of the virus in the population is still relatively limited.
All people who were in high-risk areas or who had contact with corona infected are not allowed to donate. As the DRK further emphasized, all people with symptoms of a cold or flu infections are generally not allowed to donate blood. So far, there is no evidence that corona is transmitted through blood donations.
11:24 am: Federal Government Commissioner for the East: Economy in the East “more at risk”
The Federal Government’s East Commissioner, Marco Wanderwitz, sees the economy in eastern Germany as “potentially more at risk” than other regions in view of the corona pandemic. This is due to the “smaller-scale economic structure and the tendency to lower capital,” Wanderwitz told the Thuringian newspapers of the Funke media group on Monday. The government is in constant communication with companies.
The protective shield set up by the federal government for employees and companies, however, includes “everything necessary for the current situation,” said the East Commissioner. He also considered the approaches “well suited” in the East to compensate for the disadvantages.
11:22: Robert Koch Institute declares three US states as a risk area
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) now also classifies the US states of California, Washington and New York as corona virus risk areas. According to the assessment of the US health authorities, there is a continuing virus transmission within the population, RKI Vice President Lars Schaade justified the step. So far, Italy and Iran as well as regions in China, South Korea, France (Grand Est region), Austria (Tyrol) and Madrid in Spain have been classified as risk areas. In Germany, the Heinsberg district in North Rhine-Westphalia is “particularly affected”.
11.05 a.m .: Baden-Württemberg wants to stop air traffic
The state government plans to cease operations at all airports in Baden-Württemberg due to the corona virus. The German press agency learned this on Monday from government circles in Stuttgart. Travelers from abroad would still be brought back. The decision is expected to take effect later this week.
11.02 a.m .: Ministry of Economic Affairs expects “relevant economic effects”
The Federal Ministry of Economics expects “relevant economic effects” as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The corona virus is affecting the German economy, according to the report on the economic situation in Germany in March, which was presented on Monday. How strong and for how long is currently not reliable, because no meaningful economic data are available yet. “It is also still too uncertain how fast and how much the corona virus will spread.”
The economic consequences of the corona virus are becoming increasingly serious. Many economists expect Germany to slide into recession this year. The federal government had already decided on a comprehensive package of measures.
11:02: Head of Chancellery: “Hamsters are not necessary”
According to the head of the Chancellery, Helge Braun (CDU), the German government wants to avoid bottlenecks in the supply of its citizens. “The supermarkets, the pharmacies, the banks – they all remain open,” said Braun on Monday in the “Bild” talk “The right questions”. “We will maintain business life so that there are no bottlenecks.” At the same time, he emphasized: “The inflows of goods are not endangered. Hamsters are not necessary.”
11:00 a.m .: 730 volunteers report to the Bundeswehr call
The German Armed Forces medical service has received 730 inquiries since Friday as a result of the Corona crisis. “380 of them can be deployed very quickly to the Bundeswehr medical service,” said a spokesman for the German press agency on Monday. Specialists who had not previously worked in the Bundeswehr had also reported. These interested parties were referred to civil aid organizations such as the DRK, the Johanniter or the Malteser.
The medical service has set up a hotline at 0261 896 32444 to attract reservists to the Bundeswehr’s so-called stationary health facilities at short notice. We are looking for military-trained nurses, nurses, paramedics, laboratory assistants and pharmaceutical technical assistants.
10.15 a.m .: Bavaria announces the disaster
At a press conference, the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) announced that Bavaria is calling for a catastrophe due to the corona crisis. The Free State provides up to EUR 10 billion in special funds to protect the economy. The debt brake is also overridden. “We don’t leave anyone alone,” said Söder. Not only cinemas, clubs, club rooms and the like will be closed from Tuesday, but also sports fields and playgrounds will be closed.
9.45 a.m .: Klöckner: Gastro staff can help out with harvesting on farms
According to Federal Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner (CDU), employees in the catering industry could help out as seasonal workers in agriculture. On the one hand, because of the spread of the novel corona virus in Europe, many seasonal workers from abroad would no longer come to Germany, as Klöckner told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (Monday). On the other hand, the restaurants and pubs in Germany did not have guests. “Whether those employees who unfortunately have less and less to do in the catering industry can and want to step in to the agricultural sector – we also have to consider something like this,” said Klöckner.
For this, it must also be checked whether bureaucratic requirements can be reduced during the crisis for such “unconventional ways”. The harvest season begins in spring on German vegetable fields, for which workers often come from neighboring countries. Your entry is now likely to be a problem due to corona virus restrictions.
9 a.m .: Macron, Merkel and von der Leyen talk about border controls
French President Emmanuel Macron will speak today with Chancellor Angela Merkel, EU Council President Charles Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the virus crisis and border controls, Macron’s office said.
8.50 a.m .: Checks at borders in the south and north started
Germany started the planned controls on Monday morning at 8 a.m. on the borders to Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark. This is to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly and to keep the number of infected and dead small. Travelers without a valid reason are therefore no longer allowed to enter Germany, as a spokesman for the federal police said. The movement of goods and commuters are not affected.
At the border with Austria, things remained quiet shortly before and at the start of the controls. The traffic continued to roll normally, the backlog to Austria was low, as reported by dpa reporters on site. Rest areas and their parking spaces in the border area are also remarkably empty.
8.36 am: NRW: “More than every second intervention” affected by Corona
The postponement of predictable operations could affect more than every second intervention in North Rhine-Westphalia, as the president of the hospital company NRW, Jochen Brink, announced on Monday in the WDR. For the hospitals this means a “huge challenge”. Hospital managers across the country are currently busy reorganizing their operations. The treating doctor decides which procedures could be postponed for a few months without harming the patient. After his first impression, the patients reacted “very understandingly,” said Brink.
The postponement, which had been recommended nationwide and by the NRW Ministry of Health, aims to keep intensive care beds and respirators free for the treatment of seriously ill coronavirus patients.
7.45 a.m .: Italy wants to provide more money for the corona crisis
The Italian government plans to step up its efforts to contain the economic consequences of the Corona crisis. “What has been approved so far is not enough,” said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in an interview with the daily newspaper “Corriere della Sera”. “We need a real reconstruction plan.” So far, a total of 25 billion euros have been earmarked to support the economy.
6:00 am: New York City and Washington State close restaurants
In order to counteract the further spread of the corona virus, the east coast metropolis of New York and the state of Washington on the west coast of the USA will further restrict social life in the coming days. Bars, restaurants and cafés would remain largely closed for the time being, the authorities announced on Sunday (local time). Only delivery services and take-away food and drinks are still available. In New York, nightclubs, cinemas and other venues would also have to close at 9 a.m. (2 p.m. CET) on Tuesday morning.
“Go home!”: Residents in New York asked passers-by to voluntarily go into isolation. (Source: Reuters)
This decision was not easy for him, Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter. “But our city is under threat like never before and we have to react to it with a war mentality,” added de Blasio. Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he would declare a state of emergency on Monday to close venues. All meetings of more than 50 participants would be prohibited.
Today, we made the painful decision to suspend classes in all NYC public schools, beginning tomorrow March 16. We’re going to begin remote digital learning on Monday March 23, and we’ll do everything in our power to help our kids through this .
– Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 15, 2020
5 a.m .: After border closure in Poland: eight hours waiting for A4
Motorists on their way to Poland had to wait several hours on Autobahn 4 at the border crossing from Ludwigsdorf to Jedrzychowice in Poland. The clearance took up to eight hours on Sunday evening, said the federal police. The cars would have accumulated up to three kilometers. Mainly Polish citizens wanted to cross the border. According to the federal police, Germans, among others, were turned away at the border.
Poland closed its borders to Germany and other neighboring EU countries to foreigners on Sunday night due to the coronavirus crisis. Controls were introduced at a total of 58 border crossings to Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania, as was shown by a decree by the Polish Ministry of the Interior.
2.30 a.m .: 13 people in Germany have died of coronavirus
There were reports of a thirteenth coronavirus-related death on Sunday evening.
2 a.m .: As of Monday, strict controls at German borders
From Monday on, Germany wants to further limit the spread of the coronavirus with entry bans and strict border controls. The measures are to come into effect at 8 a.m. at the border crossings to Switzerland, France, Austria, Denmark and also Luxembourg, as Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) announced on Sunday. “For travelers without a valid reason to travel, they can no longer enter,” he said.
There are exceptions for goods traffic and commuters. In addition: “Of course, German citizens have the right to return to their home country,” said Seehofer. The same also applies to foreigners with a residence permit and residence in Germany, said State Secretary Hans-Georg Engelke.
1.42 a.m .: 16 new infections in China
In China, 16 new infections are reported for Sunday. There were 20 cases on Saturday. This increases the number of illnesses to 80,860. At the end of Sunday, the death toll from the outbreak in China was 3,213, 14 more than the previous day. The central province of Hubei accounts for all new deaths, including 13 in the provincial capital Wuhan alone.
1.09 a.m .: EU wants coordinated economic response
Finance ministers of the European Union want to agree on a coordinated economic response to the coronavirus pandemic on Monday. “Our Eurogroup on Monday will address the response to Covid-19,” Eurozone Finance Minister Mario Centeno of Portugal said on Twitter. “Most of the first policies come from the capitals, but I will get our group to agree on a comprehensive and coordinated EU economic response to this health crisis,” he said.
1 a.m .: All northern German islands are closed to tourists
Rügen instead of Rome? Anyone who hoped to enjoy a holiday on an island in Germany because of the closed European borders will be disappointed again: All northern German coastal countries will block their islands in the North and Baltic Sea from Monday due to the spread of the corona virus. The Prime Ministers of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony agreed on Sunday, as the State Chancellery in Schwerin announced on Sunday evening. The state governments have also announced regulations for tourism on the mainland. “Tomorrow we will talk about how we deal with the mainland,” said the government spokesman for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania of the dpa.
Schleswig-Holstein had already announced on Sunday afternoon that its islands in the North and Baltic Seas would be closed to tourists from Monday morning at 6 a.m. The state government in Kiel had decided that, Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) said after a conference call by the cabinet. The islands affected include Sylt, Amrum, Föhr, Fehmarn and Nordstrand. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the measures on the islands of Rügen, Usedom, Hiddensee and Poel were gradually introduced, it was said in the evening; because of the size of the islands and the numerous direct connections to the mainland.
Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) tweeted: “We like to be the most popular holiday destination and I also love to go on vacation in #MV. This step is therefore bitter: We will massively restrict tourism on the islands and on the mainland for the next few weeks. To protect the population & guests. “
The only exceptions to the access restrictions are people who have their first place of residence on one of the northern German islands or who have to work on the islands – or return from work on the mainland. The supply of the islands with everyday goods will continue to be ensured. The reason for the closure is that the island’s health systems are not prepared for a larger number of people infected with the coronavirus. The measure thus serves both to protect the island population and to protect guests. Holidaymakers who have already moved into quarters on one of the islands are asked to head home.
0.40 a.m .: Schools and daycare centers close
In the fight against the further spread of the corona virus, thousands of schools and daycare centers across Germany will be closed this Monday. The unprecedented orders apply in most federal states until the end of the Easter holidays, i.e. until the middle or end of April. Millions of people are affected: There are 2.8 million primary school children across Germany, and 3.7 million children are looked after in day care centers and after-school care centers.
The week-long closure poses massive problems for parents and employers. Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil appealed to company heads and heads of authorities to find unbureaucratic and amicable solutions for childcare together with their employees so that parents do not face wage losses. The Länder are also trying to set up emergency care. The main thing is that parents can continue to work in so-called critical professions such as the police, fire brigade, nursing or emergency services.
Sunday, March 15, 11:55 p.m .: Leading central banks ensure the dollar supply
In the face of the corona virus crisis, the world’s leading central banks are securing the supply of the financial system with the world’s reserve currency, the US dollar. Firstly, the costs of existing mutual dollar lending transactions (swaps) are reduced. On the other hand, additional loan transactions with a longer term are carried out. The six central banks involved, including the European Central Bank (ECB), shared this on Sunday.
As the central banks announced, in addition to the existing dollar transactions with a one-week term, transactions with a three-month term will be offered. The first transactions are scheduled to expire on Monday and will continue as long as necessary. This is to ensure the proper functioning of the dollar liquidity market. Banks need dollars for many important financial transactions, not least with companies.
The US Federal Reserve, the ECB, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the Swiss National Bank SNB and the Bank of Canada are involved in the concerted action.
11:50 p.m .: France is apparently preparing a curfew
After Italy and Spain, according to insiders, France is also preparing a country-wide curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic. The residents would be instructed to stay at home. You can only deviate from this in emergencies, for grocery shopping or if you have to go to the pharmacy, to the hospital or to work, say people familiar with the matter. The measure could apply from Tuesday midnight.
11.17 p.m .: Trump: No need for panic buying in the United States
US President Donald Trump has called on Americans to refrain from panic buying because of the spread of the corona virus. Trump said at a press conference at the White House on Sunday evening (local time) after a phone call with the bosses of large retail chains to the address of US citizens: “You don’t have to buy that much. Just don’t hurry, just relax.” His interlocutors had promised to ensure the supply of the population. They would keep their stores open during the crisis.
Trump said people are currently buying “three to five times what they would normally buy.” In response, supermarkets would therefore replenish their warehouses to an extent that would exceed that for Christmas sales. Trump stressed: “There is no need for anyone in the country to hoard staple foods.” His interlocutors asked him to tell the Americans that “please buy a little less”.
In the United States – like in other countries affected by the virus – there is a run on toilet paper, disinfectants, durable foods such as pasta and water. Long lines have formed in front of some supermarkets in the past few days. Some stores limit the sale of goods that are particularly in demand due to the spread of the corona virus to a certain number.
11:15 p.m .: Federal government advises against all unnecessary trips abroad
The Federal Government advises against all unnecessary trips abroad because of the Corona crisis. “The risk that you will no longer be able to start your return journey due to the increasing restrictions is currently high in many destinations,” Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) wrote on Sunday evening to justify this on Twitter.
The website of the Federal Foreign Office further states that drastic restrictions on air and travel, quarantine measures and restrictions on public life in many countries are to be expected. Changes to the entry and quarantine regulations would sometimes take place without prior notice and with immediate effect. This currently affects numerous travelers in several countries and prevents them from traveling on or back.
Until now, the Federal Foreign Office had advised against traveling to particularly affected countries such as Italy or Iran because of the rapid spread of the corona virus. So far, there is only a travel warning for the Hubei region of China, from where the virus had spread. Travel warnings are only given when there is an acute danger to life and limb and are therefore rare. You can allow travel to be canceled free of charge.
10.55 p.m .: Scholz: 10,000 ventilators are produced in special shifts
According to Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the 10,000 respiratory devices ordered by the manufacturer Drägerwerk to cope with the corona crisis are manufactured in special shifts. “It will stretch all year round,” said the Federal Minister of Finance on Sunday on the ARD program “Anne Will”. In his words, the medical technology manufacturer is pushing its capacity to the limit. According to him, more than a billion euros have been mobilized for medical procurement, including materials such as protective masks.
10.30 p.m .: Report: British authorities expect corona crisis for one year
According to a report by The Guardian newspaper, the British health authority Public Health England expects the corona crisis to continue until spring 2021. This is said to come from a secret briefing document that was leaked to the sheet. Accordingly, up to 80 percent of the British could become infected with the novel coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 in the next 12 months. For 15 percent of the population, hospitalization would be necessary due to the disease Covid-19. That would be around eight million people in the UK. The National Health Service NHS, which is already largely busy, would come under further pressure.
According to an epidemiology expert from the University of East Anglia, the spread of the virus will slow down in the summer months and will only pick up speed again in November. “I think it will always be there, but will become less violent as the immunity increases,” said Professor Paul Hunter, the Guardian said.
The British government is currently under increasing pressure to introduce more drastic measures to curb the coronavirus epidemic. So far, schools have been opened in the country and major events are still allowed. Only those who develop symptoms such as cough and fever should isolate themselves for seven days. The government wants to prevent the outbreak from being suppressed too strongly and from returning with undiminished strength in autumn.
10:13 p.m .: Bavaria announces the announcement of the disaster
Bavaria wants to declare the disaster because of the rampant corona virus pandemic. Prime Minister Markus Söder confirmed this on Bavarian television. “There must be a strategy under one leadership,” the CSU politician said. “The challenge grows every day.”
Organizational issues are primarily associated with the declaration of a disaster. These are necessary so that the country can take appropriate measures in the fight against the corona virus, government circles said. The disaster should initially apply for 14 days.
9:37 pm: New infection numbers for Germany
According to information from t-online.de, there are currently 5,771 confirmed Covid-19 infections in Germany. That is over 200 more than just a few hours ago. Read everything about it HERE.
8:19 p.m .: Supermarkets, pharmacies and banks remain open
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn has solicited understanding of drastic measures to “shut down public life” against the further spread of the corona virus. In the ZDF program “Berlin Direkt” he said: “Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks – they will definitely stay on, they ensure the basic supply.”
7:22 pm: Partial border closures now officially
Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer makes the increased controls at several German borders official in a press conference. Another neighboring country is affected. Read everything about it HERE.
6.42 p.m .: New infection numbers for Germany
According to information from t-online.de, there are currently 5,567 confirmed infections with the corona virus in Germany. Read everything about it HERE.
6.30 p.m .: Number of deaths in Italy increases by 25 percent within one day
In Italy, the number of deaths from coronavirus increased by 368 to 1,809 in 24 hours. This is announced by the competent authority. The number of registered infections rose from 21,157 to 24,747 within a day.
6.30 p.m .: Twelfth coronavirus death in Germany
The twelfth death from Bavaria due to a Covid 19 disease is reported in Bavaria from Germany. The Ministry of Health said that it was an 80-year-old patient with previous illnesses from Würzburg. The deceased was a resident of the same nursing home from which the first coronavirus death in Bavaria came. It is the fourth death in Bavaria.
6.15 p.m .: Lower Saxony also faces further restrictions
Lower Saxony is also facing further restrictions on public life due to the coronavirus crisis. Uniform state-wide regulations for the upcoming closings of other facilities in Lower Saxony and the expansion of visiting bans should be announced on Monday, said the State Chancellery.
17:58: NRW largely closes the leisure businesses
The North Rhine-Westphalian state government has decided to curb the coronavirus pandemic, further serious restrictions for the leisure sector. “In this serious situation, we have to fully ensure the necessary care,” said Prime Minister Armin Laschet. “But all leisure activities and social contacts that are not absolutely necessary must be avoided immediately.”
Already on Sunday, almost all leisure, sports, entertainment and educational offers in the state are to be discontinued by decree of the NRW Ministry of Health, as the state chancellery announced. Accordingly, all bars, clubs, discos, arcades, theaters, cinemas and museums would have to close as early as Monday. From Tuesday, the operation of gyms, swimming pools, fun pools and saunas will also be prohibited.
As of Tuesday, gatherings in sports clubs and other sports and leisure facilities, as well as taking advantage of offers in adult education centers, music schools and other public and private educational institutions, are no longer permitted. Libraries, restaurants, restaurants and hotels should be subject to strict requirements in their operations. According to the State Chancellery, the regulations should initially apply until April 19.
17:22: Germany also closes the border with Denmark
After the announced entry restrictions to Austria, Switzerland and France, Germany will also close the border to Denmark on Monday. That’s what Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther said. Read more about it HERE.
5:05 p.m .: Hamburg orders extensive closings
After the decision to suspend regular operations in schools and kindergartens, the Hamburg Senate ordered further measures to contain the corona virus. By general decree “all public and non-public events and gatherings are fundamentally prohibited regardless of the number of participants”. Private events with up to 100 people are likely to continue. However, it is strongly recommended that these be canceled or postponed.
According to the Senate, the following will be closed: trade fairs and exhibitions, theaters, museums, cinemas, youth and district cultural centers, senior meetings, libraries, music schools and facilities of the Hamburg Adult Education Center, bars and music clubs, brothels, dance and night clubs, arcades and casinos, swimming pools, saunas, Fitness and sports studios as well as all public and private sports facilities.
4:48 p.m .: Fifth coronavirus death in NRW – now eleven dead across Germany
A fifth person infected with the coronavirus died in North Rhine-Westphalia. The number of fatal Covid-19 diseases in Germany has risen to 11. So far, two more deaths from Bavaria had been reported.
An 84-year-old woman from Gangelt with serious previous illnesses died of pneumonia in a hospital in Neuss on Friday night, said the district administrator of the district of Heinsberg, Stephan Pusch. In this case, too, the source of the virus infection is still unknown. “I am deeply saddened by each of these messages. My sincere condolences go out to the family,” said the district administrator.
16:36: German islands are sealed off for tourists
In the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, Schleswig-Holstein wants to cordon off its islands in the North and Baltic Seas for tourists from Monday morning at 6 a.m. That was decided by the state government in Kiel, as Prime Minister Daniel Günther announced after a conference call by the cabinet.
Holidaymakers who have already moved into quarters on one of the islands should head home. Medical care for the islanders must be secured, said Interior Minister Heiner Garg. The capacities of intensive care medicine on the islands are not designed for a large number of tourists.
16:28: RKI declares California and New York as risk areas
For the first time, the Robert Koch Institute has declared three US states to be risk areas due to the corona virus. California, Washington and New York were among the areas where “continued transmission of the virus from person to person” is suspected, the virologists said.
4.15 p.m .: Lufthansa brings vacationers home with special flights
According to its own statements, Lufthansa has organized special flights at short notice today and in the coming days, in order to fly back to Germany, in particular, for cruise passengers and holiday guests. The airline flies these charter flights on behalf of shipping companies and tourism companies.
The focus is on the Canaries and the Caribbean. Large Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 aircraft would be used. Overall, the airline expects to fly around 3,000 to 4,000 passengers back to Germany at short notice.
3:24 pm: Bavaria plans to restrict catering and shops
In view of the corona virus crisis, Bavaria is planning further restrictions on public life. As of Tuesday, extensive closing of meeting places such as bars, cinemas and swimming pools is planned. From Wednesday onwards, selected shops will close their doors, as the German press agency learned from circles of the state government in Munich. Previously, Berlin had already banned all public and non-public events from 50 people. This affected, among other things, pubs, bars, arcades and clubs.
3.20 p.m .: Germany partially closes the borders to three countries
Due to the corona virus pandemic, measures at the borders with France, Switzerland and Austria are being drastically tightened. Read everything about it HERE.
3:19 p.m .: Infected celebrated in Berlin’s famous techno club
A coronavirus sufferer celebrated extensively in one of Berlin’s best-known clubs. Now the city and club appeal to the guests. Further infections are apparently feared. Read everything else about it HERE.
3.15 p.m .: New news blog
In order to make reading easier and reduce loading times, the editors start the news blog again here. Are you interested in the previous news? Read all developments so far HERE.
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