Updated March 12, 2020, 11:12 p.m.
As little as possible to go among people, also cancel smaller events and keep hospital places free for corona patients: the federal government and the federal states have agreed on measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The Chancellor urges.
The Prime Ministers of the federal states spent hours discussing the corona crisis with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and experts. In the fight against the spread, they agreed on concrete measures on Thursday.
Relieving hospitals and postponing predictable operations
In order to relieve the burden on the hospitals for the care of seriously ill corona patients, as far as medically justifiable, all inpatient treatments and operations that can be planned should be postponed indefinitely. The resulting economic consequences for hospitals are offset by the statutory health insurance companies. There is also a bonus for each intensive care bed that is also kept available. The hospitals are asked to plan so that the capacities of the intensive care and ventilation beds in their clinics are strengthened.
Cancellation of events
All events with more than 1000 participants as well as all “unnecessary events” with less than 1000 participants should be canceled.
Schools closed and Easter holidays brought forward
The temporary closure of kindergartens and schools, for example due to the advance of Easter holidays, is another option, said Merkel. The spread of the virus is not expected to stop in any region. However, the states did not find a uniform line in the consultations, nationwide school closures are still not planned in Germany for the time being. Many countries and Bavaria wanted to decide on Friday when the schools would be closed before Easter.
Help for the elderly and the sick
The federal and state governments are intensifying their efforts to educate particularly vulnerable sections of the population – the elderly and the chronically ill -, to give them recommendations for action and to protect them. This includes concepts for nursing facilities and outpatient nursing services to provide specific information to these groups.
Economic measures will be announced on Friday
To support the economy, Merkel announced further “comprehensive” measures, without giving details. The measures will be announced this Friday by Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD).
The federal and state governments want to work closely together to tackle the epidemic. This applies to the health and interior ministers, the crisis teams, and the head of the Federal Chancellery and the state and senate offices of the federal states. Germany also strives for close coordination within Europe – especially with its neighboring countries. (ash / dpa)
Chancellor Angela Merkel calls after a meeting with the Prime Ministers of the federal states to dispense with all unnecessary events with fewer than 1000 participants.
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