Federal government imposes stricter epidemic prevention rules for November

The federal government hopes to contain the massive increase in coronavirus infections with draconian restrictions before Christmas. According to reports, Chancellor Merkel and state governors have now reached an agreement on tightening epidemic prevention measures. Across Germany, entertainment facilities and restaurants will be closed, entertainment activities will be banned, mass contact in public places and celebrations in squares and private apartments will be restricted.

The measures will take effect across Germany as of November 2 at the earliest and apply until the end of the month. After two weeks, the German chancellor and state governors will assess the situation and make necessary adjustments. The document states: "Family and friends can meet during the pandemic situation during Christmas, which requires a concerted effort, just like in the spring." Many of the planned measures now are similar to the restrictions that existed during the first wave of the epidemic in the spring.

The specific preventive measures are as follows:

Public spaces and celebrations: Allow one or two families to gather in public. Violation of these restrictions will result in penalties from regulators. In view of the current severity of the epidemic, multi-person celebrations in public places, apartments or private places are prohibited.

Schools and Kindergartens: These locations will remain open. But states should take further protective measures.

Retail stores: Under the conditions of maintaining hygiene, controlling the number of people entering and leaving, and avoiding queuing, retail stores generally remain open, but must ensure that there is no more than one customer per 25 square meters in the store. Closure of entertainment venues such as theatres, opera houses and concert halls, as well as trade fairs, cinemas, amusement parks, casinos. Brothels and other prostitution establishments will also be closed.

Sports venues: Close all leisure and entertainment facilities in public and private sports venues, and close swimming pools, fun pools, and gyms. Professional sporting events can only be played without spectators, even in the German Football League.

Restaurants and Hotels: Close restaurants, bars, clubs, discos, bistros and the like. The exceptions are home delivery and pickup. Overnight accommodation by tourists in Germany is prohibited, except for accommodation for essential purposes. Citizens are requested not to travel and visit relatives without permission.

Body care establishments: Close beauty salons, massage clinics or tattoo studios, but allow medically necessary treatments such as physiotherapy to open. Barbershops will remain open, subject to current hygiene regulations.

Companies: Companies should practice working from home as much as possible. All companies affected by the closure will receive emergency assistance to compensate for financial losses.

At-Risk Populations: COVID-19 testing should be made available quickly, with priority given to at-risk populations such as the sick, those in need of care, the elderly and people with disabilities.