Update from Germany
Yesterday May 6th 2020, Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, had a crisis meeting with the Minister Presidents of the 16 federal states in Germany about easing lockdown restrictions and how individual states should deal with it.
In the following press conference, the Federal Chancellor announced, that the following easing measures had been adopted by the government:
1. All shops are allowed to open again from next week under strict hygiene conditions and social distancing. Until now, only shops with a floor space of less than 800 square metres had been allowed to do so.
2. The ban against social contact will remain until the 5th of June at the least, to prevent the meeting of groups in a private area.
3. Outdoor sports, such as tennis or football should be possible from next week under strict condition. It is still unclear when gyms and other sports clubs that offer indoor sports can reopen. According to Merkel “the risk is too high.”
4. Restaurants and bars can look forward to open their doors again. But there are also conditions here. Only half of the tables may be occupied due to social distancing and mask obligation applies. In order to be prepared in the event of a second wave, costumers are required to provide their contact details, so that the government are able to trace an infection chain.
5. Restrictions have also been eased in the area of culture. Galleries and museums can now show their exhibitions again. Zoos and playgrounds can also rejoice life.
6. Social contacts are also being considered. From now on you can meet with people from a second household
7. The responsibility for new easing and how to proceed with the pandemic will now be in the hands of the federal states.
Merkel named the positive development but on the same time warned for caution.
She furthermore assured if Germany is close to a second wave, the easing would be withdrawn again.
sources: BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52557718
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrywGkMRbSU
feature image: private
WNOL 