Kontaktverbot statt Ausgangssperre: Das hat Merkel mit den Ländern im Kampf gegen Corona entschieden

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this afternoon I spoke in detail by telephone with the heads of government of the federal states. We are all aware of the seriousness of the situation, that

corona

virus videos continue to spread in our country at a worrying rate. Taking antidotes and antidotes, we still do not have vaccines or medicines, but only, firstly, the efforts we are making to prepare our health system, especially hospitals, for the expected increase in the number of cases and, secondly, our own behavior: that is currently the most effective means we have and that means closing public life to such an extent that it is justifiable to reduce as much as possible encounters between people to whom the virus could be transmitted. and the state governments were already taking drastic measures to this end on Monday they had agreed and we had agreed that we would take stock this weekend.

Today, Sunday, we notice everywhere in Germany that our cities, our traffic, our economic and private life look completely different from what they did a week ago. The vast majority of people have understood that it is now important for everyone that everyone can do their part, but you also have to stop the virus. Before I explain in detail the expanded guidelines that the federal and state governments have agreed today, it is important for me directly. I am addressing all those who are now respecting the rules of conduct. I would like to thank you for this. I know that it means resignation and sacrifice, both economic and human, when companies have to close, when you can no longer socialize so easily and what is even more painful is that it is no longer like that.

You can simply visit your grandparents, you can find friends, we all have to do without so many adhering to these rules of conduct for a while. That moves me a lot. This is how we show care to the elderly and the sick because the virus would be the most dangerous for them. In short, this is how we save people I already told you on Wednesday that the spread of the virus is so dynamic that we have to address our measures again and again. We need to be able to hear the noise of experts who are constantly gaining new knowledge about the epidemic. and to observe the reality of what measures to take are being implemented without problems and where the problem is and why in this sense the federal government and the federal states have agreed today to expand the guidelines of behavior and freedom of movement and mobility that everyone They have Therefore, we continue to consistently reduce public affairs, life and social contacts and ensure that the same rules apply throughout Germany.

Many citizens have made it clear to us that they also want this clarity in the federal state. The levels of government in Germany, the federal government, the states and the municipalities are working on an important and vital goal: to buy time in the fight against the virus and that is why today we have agreed on the following guidelines, additional guidelines that I would like Citizens are encouraged to have contact with others outside their own family to reduce household size to the minimum absolutely necessary; Secondly, whenever possible in public, a minimum distance of at least 1.5 meters from people should be maintained. different from the people mentioned above, or better yet two meters.

Thirdly, staying in a public space is only possible if you are alone with another person People who live in the household, that is, another person who lives in the household or among the members of one's own household Fourthly, they are allowed traveling to work for urgent care, shopping, doctor visits, participating in meetings, necessary appointments and tests, helping others, individual sports and outdoor exercise and other necessary activities. Of course, activities remain possible. Fifth, given the serious situation our country is going through, groups of people celebrating in public places, in apartments and private facilities, are unacceptable. Violations of contact restrictions must be monitored by regulatory authorities and the police and sanctioned in case of violations.

Six, Restaurant establishments will remain closed, except for this one. Delivery and collection of takeaway food for home consumption will be closed. Siemens. These service companies in the field of personal care such as hairdressers, cosmetic studios, massage offices, tattoo studios and similar businesses will be closed. because in this area they have physical proximity, which is essential for the exercise of work and, therefore, it is not closed. Medically necessary treatments remain possible in accordance with the guidelines we have given ourselves.8 In all businesses and especially those with public traffic, it is important to comply with hygiene rules and implement effective protective measures for employees and visitors. and 9 these measures must be valid for at least two weeks.

Everyone, wherever they live, knows exactly what they are. Everyone must organize their movements and their lives during the coming weeks according to these clear guidelines. None of us who have political responsibility in a democracy wanted to present ourselves to the citizens with such regulations, I have to say, but these are not simply recommendations of the State, they are norms that must be respected in the interest of all. Law enforcement officers will check this and when they find violations, there will be consequences and sanctions. Therefore, I repeat my urgent appeal to all of you, also to the few who have had difficulties.

Following the rules of the last days, get everyone involved, do what is right for our country now, show reason and heart. Countless fellow citizens work in the healthcare system or maintain our daily supplies. We should always thank them for that. but above all we owe it to you to give the virus the smallest possible opportunity to spread. It is a great encouragement on this day to see that millions and millions of people are making this renunciation out of common sense and care. "I am convinced that this community spirit, this mutual approach, will help us overcome this difficult time together.

Thank you very much, Madam Chancellor, when you read the measures, you said that staying in public spaces is only possible with only one other person." People living in the household or within the circle of members of one's own household must mean that a mistake was made. Then I made a mistake, so I'll read it again so everything is right. Staying in a public space is only for yourself. with another person If you allow people who live in the household or within the circle of your own household members, then we are completely perfect again, thank you, but I still have a question and there were suggestions that sanctions can be written there specifically , about 25,000 euros, and there is the threat of punishment if not.

Such suggestions come from the circle of prime ministers if this ban on meetings or contacts is not fulfilled as promised or the threat of prison sentences, why is that not included and It is said that there was a dispute between prime ministers Söder and Laschet , so the nerves are on edge. As always, there was a lively discussion, but that is also completely normal. Today there was no discussion of the level of sanctions or fines. , and to what extent it did not play any role and otherwise I have to tell you that it is important that we have agreed that we reduce contacts, that we still want to allow people to leave home, that they can go out for necessary activities but also to take a little fresh air.

You can do it as a family with those who live in the household and even if you are alone Live with a second person This is sometimes written in such a way that only two people can be together in a public space, unless they are people who live in the same house and I think it is a good and correct rule and everyone agrees on that. Okay, Madam Chancellor, on two questions. Firstly, you and the Prime Minister also agreed to reform the Infection Protection Act. It is about whether the federal government will have more powers in times of crisis like the current one.

The federal states have to agree and, secondly, they have also agreed on economic aid measures. requirements that an upper limit of liability of 100 percent be assumed for loans. Actually, there is understanding. Tomorrow we have a Cabinet meeting at 11. After that, the Federal Minister of Finance and I will also be at your disposal here at this time for a statement on the laws will be explained, we are still in the processing process and that is why I can't say anything about the design of these laws today. It will come and the details are still being coordinated. No one has to worry and the headlines in some newspapers today were completely exaggerated.

We will find a good agreement with the federal states, on Friday we will have a special meeting of the Federal Council. Of course, we want the laws to be passed at this special meeting of the Federal Council. It would not be particularly logical for us in the Bundestag to approve something that would not later be supported by the Federal Council. The title is from the Bild newspaper. The term contact ban was coined today by Mr. Laschet. What do you think of this term and how? Maybe you could explain it to yourself? Explain to them and to the citizens that this still has a place and then a patchwork quilt, because now we have such a basic framework that often an agreement could hardly be reached, there was a conflict, there were federated states that go much further, we have Bavaria, we have Saxony and we have measures in municipalities like Freiburg that go much further.

How do you explain that zero? Today we agreed that we will reduce contacts. So everyone will still have contacts with the people who live in the house with them or you can take one outside and then others will also have contacts, for example by phone or Skype, so the contacts are not always only face to face. Secondly, I think that the basic structure is very, very similar between the individual federal states and that many federal states have not yet formulated everything, but all prime ministers have today accepted these guidelines, not all case constellations are covered , some regulations will be I will be much more specific, but this has all the support and I think so, also the basic messages for the people and now let's return to the question of how the dispute was discussed.

Of course there are discussions, but that is the case at every conference of parliamentarians. If we sit here behind you in the room, then that's definitely the point. Yes, it is also sensible, I think we live in a very difficult situation, we restrict many freedoms that we take for granted and the fact that different ideas are brought in, I think that is normal. Look how you are sitting here, look how we have our own in a cabinet meeting. I have canceled almost all the appointments in which people come here to the chancery or in which I drove people.

My life has also changed radically and consists essentially of conference calls and video conferences. The European Council finds the city. There are no trips. Instead, I don't drive anywhere in Germany. When I make visits apart from appointments, so that everything is in the field. Madam, Mr. Chancellor, a week ago there was an attempt to have the federated and federal governments reach an agreement shortly afterwards on a uniform situation. The Bavarian Prime Minister was once again quick to call for tightening. Do you think there is an awareness that this will no longer happen alone? If we look at the individual federal states, the situation is very different.

Look, it's different and we have the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland. especially to a certain extent Rhineland-Palatinate, but the three that I mentioned first are especially close to the border, where neighboring countries have also taken certain measures and are of course even more sensitive that this can always cause traffic disruptions commuter train and therefore, "So far, it's about the fact that we already said on Monday that we'll see if people comply. I also started it as a call on Wednesday. Today I'm happy that so many people are doing this voluntarily, but there were also situations whereby almost all federated states, including schools, closed restaurants and cafes during the weekend.

It is something that is respected, I still want to say that the most important thing is that the distance rules are respected. issue when I am outside and walking outside is the distance rule, because with a certain distance the risk of infection reduces to almost zero, whether you are at medium distance. One meter away or 1.5 meters makes a big difference, even if you have never seen it before in your life, thank you.