Germany announced tougher measures to combat coronavirus

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the federal states held a meeting at which they agreed on new measures to combat the coronavirus. Following the results, Merkel spoke at a press conference together with the head of Bavaria and junior partner in the conservative alliance, Markus Zeder, and burgomaster of Hamburg, Peter Chencher. “Germany coped with the pandemic in the summer, but more difficult times lie ahead,” the chancellor warned, urging citizens “not to relax.”

As noted by Spiegel online, a few months ago, Berlin and the regions refused to coordinate their actions, however, against the background of an increase in morbidity, they returned to the format of joint consultations. However, each of the lands still has the right to adjust the rules at its discretion. According to the chancellor, the most important thing in the current situation is to quickly track the chain of infections. “This is the only way to contain the pandemic,” Merkel said. Therefore, the authorities decided to increase the punishment for providing false or inaccurate personal data when booking hotels, visiting restaurants and other public places where it is required. “This is not some minor offense,” the head of government said. From now on, the fine for irresponsible citizens will be at least 50 euros. At the same time, the Prime Minister of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Gunther, has already announced that in his region they will be fined up to 1,000 euros for such a fraud.

Of course, no indulgence in public life is to be expected. To the “gentleman’s set” of requirements in the form of keeping distance, fulfilling basic hygiene rules and wearing masks, compulsory ventilation of the premises and the use of the Corona mobile application are added. “Both inexpensive and effective,” the chancellor commented on the preventive measures. Meanwhile, the prime ministers of some lands, according to Spiegel online, rejected the demand to limit parties in apartments to 25 participants, which Merkel insisted on. However, in cafes, restaurants and other rented premises it is strongly recommended not to gather in groups of more than 50 people if the number of new infections in the region is more than 35 per 100,000 inhabitants per week. If more than 50 infections are noted within seven days, then the cafe should not gather more than 25 guests.

Markus Zeder also urged his fellow countrymen to refrain from traveling abroad during the autumn holidays. “We need to be careful, not recklessness. The priority for us is the preservation of jobs, the functioning of kindergartens and schools. We do not want the return of general isolation, – said the Bavarian prime minister. – More masks, less travel and alcohol.”

Zeder recalled that back in June, an average of 300 infections were detected in Germany every day. According to the Koch Institute, on the morning of September 29, the country has already registered 2,089 new patients and 11 deaths caused by the virus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 9471 German residents have died from COVID-19. Earlier, Merkel warned her compatriots: if the infection continues to spread at such a rate, by Catholic Christmas the Germans will receive an increase of 19,200 patients.