Together against the fourth wave: State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg

The infection situation in Baden-Württemberg is still critical. Baden-Württemberg is therefore tightening the corona measures again following a joint decision by the federal and state governments. To this end, we are expanding the 2G and 2GPlus regulations in many areas.

As announced, the country is planning to tighten the previous regulations further Corona rules from December 4, 2021. The new ordinance will be adopted on December 3, 2021 by circulation procedure and will come into force on December 4, 2021.

The state government is implementing measures that were decided on Thursday, December 3, 2021, between the states and the federal government as minimum standards. Due to the high infection rate, the state is making use of the option agreed in the federal-state switchboard to introduce stricter rules in certain areas. The state thus explicitly uses the leeway that the resolution provides for regions that are particularly badly affected.

This applies to two areas in particular:

• Sports, cultural and similar large events are more restricted. In alert level II, a maximum of 50 percent of the permitted capacity is permitted and there is a general limit of 750 visitors. In professional football, this actually means that there are ghost games.
• The 2GPlus rule generally applies to the catering trade. This also applies to hotel catering.

The new regulations in alert level II in detail

• Prohibition of Christmas markets, city and folk festivals.
• For events such as theater, opera and concert performances, film screenings, city tours and information, company, club and sporting events, only 50 percent of the occupancy is allowed. However, no more than 750 spectators are admitted.
• Discotheques and clubs and establishments that are operated in a club-like manner must close.
• For cultural and leisure facilities, such as galleries, museums, memorials, archives, libraries, trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, sports facilities, baths and bathing lakes with controlled access, saunas and similar facilities, river and lake navigation for excursions, tourist bus, train and cable car traffic, ski and chair lifts, amusement parks, zoological and botanical gardens, high ropes courses and similar facilities, 2G + applies. Media can be picked up and returned without restriction in libraries and archives.
• 2G generally applies to retail outlets that do not provide basic services. You can find a list of retail outlets that are part of the basic supply in our overview (PDF).
• 2G + applies in gastronomy. This also applies to hotel catering and external visitors to canteens, cafeterias and canteens. Out-of-home sales are still possible without restrictions.
• Ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in traffic and meeting areas in city centers and other public places where many people are not only temporarily. The exact locations are determined by the Cities and municipalities set. Fireworks may not be set off at these places.

Boosted people do not have to submit a test at 2G +

With the new Corona regulation, the 2G-plus regulation in Baden-Württemberg does not require a test for boosted patients – i.e. for all people who have already received a booster vaccination against Corona. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Professor Uwe Lahl: “People who have already been boosted do not have to present a current negative corona test wherever the 2G-plus rule applies – for example in restaurants , in the zoo or at leisure and cultural events. ”This is to take into account the high level of protection against infections that people have after three vaccinations.

Nice transitional arrangements for gastronomy and culture

In addition, the head of the office asked the local police authorities in a letter to deal with the punishment of violations until the beginning of next week, i.e. not to sanction them yet. “The situation is very serious, so of course we should all adhere to the new rules. We know, however, that the new regulation will come at very short notice. This is a huge challenge, for event organizers and restaurateurs, for example. Therefore, the local police authorities of the cities and communities that are responsible for controlling the Corona Ordinance should also take this into account when punishing any violations. This is especially true for gastronomy and cultural and leisure facilities. But one thing is clear: we need these new rules in order to get the infection situation and the situation in the hospitals under control to some extent. The new rules will therefore be monitored and sanctioned from the end of next week. “

The strict contact restrictions for unvaccinated persons from one household plus a maximum of one other person remain in place. According to the resolution of the federal and state governments, a participation limit for vaccinated and recovered people is to be introduced for private celebrations and get-togethers of 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. Before such a system can be introduced in Baden-Württemberg, however, the federal government still has to create the conditions.

In hotspot counties with a 7-day incidence of more than 500, night-time exit restrictions for unvaccinated people continue to apply.

Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann emphasized the urgency of the measures: “We are in the middle of the fourth wave, which is being driven by a highly aggressive, versatile virus. We have to take drastic measures to stop this wave. It hurts, but it is necessary. The situation in the intensive care units is dramatic, we have to relieve the system and flatten the contagion curve as much as possible. That is why it is more important than ever that we limit our contacts as much as possible and reinforce the security fences again. In high-contact areas, this also applies to those who have been vaccinated and recovered, because they too – albeit to a lesser extent – are part of the fourth wave. “

Help also for companies that are closing for economic reasons

Prime Minister Kretschmann added: “The measures that we have to introduce mean great hardship for numerous companies. The state government is aware of this. We are in discussion with the federal government about how economic aid can be designed so that the consequences can be effectively cushioned. We are committed to the federal government to ensure that the application requirements and funding conditions are optimally designed in the programs for the benefit of our companies. Among other things, we urge the federal government to make it clear as soon as possible that companies that restrict or suspend their business operations for reasons of profitability are also granted the most uncomplicated access to aid, even if no closure has been expressly ordered. “

Only vaccination will lead to a permanent outcome from the pandemic

Furthermore, the vaccination pick is too big. “There is only one means that will permanently show us the way out of the pandemic and with which we can leave this vicious circle of loosening and closing. And this means is: Vaccination, vaccination and vaccination again. With all power. And all those who can help, ”Kretschmann made clear.

Therefore it is important that the federal government wants to support the efforts of the federal states with vaccination even more. This includes, as promised, a reliable vaccine delivery and the announcement that the circle of those who are allowed to carry out vaccinations should be significantly expanded. On the subject of mandatory vaccination, the federal government is preparing a timely decision on a general mandatory vaccination in addition to the facility-related vaccination requirements that have already been demanded. “I am pleased that there is movement here. That is a very important signal, ”said Kretschmann.

Kretschmann also welcomed the fact that improvements were made to the German Infection Protection Act were promised. “I would now ask the federal government quickly to set the course for a permanent and legally secure solution that gives the federal states the necessary room for maneuver. In addition, the Decision of the Federal Constitutional Court prepares the basis. We use the tools that are available to us, but that is not enough. “

The new Corona regulation will be published in Published here later today.

Vaccination campaign in Baden-Württemberg “stay tunedBW”

Further information on the coronavirus in Baden-Württemberg

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