Angela Merkel is planning the “block light”

In view of the rapid increase in corona infections, Angela Merkel would like to significantly tighten measures nationwide, according to a media report. The Chancellor will consult with the prime ministers of the federal states on Wednesday.

According to information from “Bild”, the Chancellery wants to publicize possible further restrictions on public life Wednesday at the federal state round due to the rapid increase in corona infections. In contrast to the lockdown in the spring, schools and daycare centers are expected to remain open, except in regions with catastrophically high infection rates, the newspaper reported Monday evening.

The retail sector is also expected to remain open with new restrictions. According to “Bild”, the Chancellery wants to be tough, especially when it comes to catering and events. Restaurants and bars should close and events should be banned.

Due to the tense situation in Corona, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and ministers of state will discuss next steps in a video conference on Wednesday. It’s about what federal and state governments can do together to break the trend as quickly as possible, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Monday. Everyone knows that “every day counts”.

Germany is also in a difficult position

Over the weekend, Merkel again urged all citizens to reduce contact in general. On Monday, after information from “Bild”, he warned the CDU committees that the increase in infections must be stopped urgently. The situation is “highly dynamic” and “dramatic”. Germany may soon find itself in a “difficult situation” with intensive care beds in clinics.

The head of the Chancellery, Helge Braun (CDU), was also very skeptical about the CDU consultations, according to information from the German news agency. The numbers have risen too quickly, he clarified, according to participants.

Merkel and the prime ministers last discussed together on 14 October and agreed on some additional measures, particularly for the Crown’s regional strongholds. The Chancellor had already made it clear at the time that after about ten days it would be possible to see “whether further steps were needed or if the steps decided had already been sufficient”.

Söder: “This is decision week”

Hamburg’s first mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) told the ARD that regional measures have so far been determined how it fits into the infection process. “But now we are in a situation where the numbers are increasing across Germany. And that’s why it’s good that we are also observing the rules at the national level and thinking about whether there are further measures.”

Prime Minister of Bavaria Markus Söder (CSU) said in Munich: “I think it is pretty serious now and everyone needs to be clear about what it is.” Ahead of the Prime Minister’s Conference, he said: “This is decision week.”

Saar government chief Tobias Hans (CDU) told Deutschlandfunk that he does not believe “that we need or will have another blockade like we did in the spring”. But this will only be successful “if we, as federal states, work together with the federal government to establish clear standards that are transparent to all.” There is no point in arresting a Saxon district due to the high number of new infections in a district of the Saarland. But everyone should be able to look up: “Is this neighborhood red, yellow or green?” – and make sure that the same measures apply.

The CDU postpones the party conference

In consideration of the worsening of the situation, the CDU postpones the party congress scheduled for December 4 in Stuttgart with 1,001 delegates to elect a new president next year. The party congress should therefore ideally take place in the presence, said Secretary General Paul Ziemiak. If this is not possible, a digital conference should be held. The left wanted to decide on Tuesday evening whether its party congress scheduled for Friday in Erfurt should be canceled.

In eight countries, school started on Monday after the fall break. Corona requirements continue to apply in many places or have been strengthened. In Berlin, for example, high school students as well as all vocational schools and high school centers have to wear masks in the classroom. Green leader Robert Habeck called for special attention to avoid school closures. Air purification systems in schools could contribute to this. “It should have happened a long time ago.”

Restrictions on exit to Bavaria

SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach spoke to the “Passauer Neue Presse” about a “very short and time-limited partial block”. “Meeting fewer friends, fewer visits to restaurants, less going to the cinema and sporting events”. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Münster Higher Administrative Court on Monday confirmed the curfew time for restaurants in areas at risk with a high number of infections. The ban on the sale of alcohol between 11pm and 6am has the legitimate aim of slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Due to the sharp increase in the number of crowns, severe exit restrictions will also apply in the Bavarian district of Rottal-Inn from Tuesday. Schools and kindergartens are closed and events are canceled, according to a message. Last week, similar restrictions were imposed in the Berchtesgadener Land district.