The state government is relaxing the corona restrictions in Bavaria as planned. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and his cabinet decided that the clubs and discos that had been closed since last November could reopen from this Friday. Admission is initially only permitted under 2-G-Plus conditions, there is no mask requirement. In addition, the 2-G rule will no longer apply in hotels, taverns and restaurants, but the 3-G rule. This means that people without vaccination protection will also be allowed access again, provided they can show a current corona test with a negative result. Pure drinking establishments, i.e. bars and pubs, are also allowed to open from Friday under 3-G conditions – although there is a ban on dancing.
With a view to events, the cabinet has also decided on new, less strict corona rules. Accordingly, in future it will be permitted in all areas to use 75 percent of the capacity for spectators. The upper limit is still 25,000 people. “This is good news, especially for the organizers of sporting events and our sports clubs that have been hit by Corona, because they depend on the income from spectators,” said Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU). In sports, the maximum capacity utilization was recently 50 percent. More audience means “more atmosphere and more incentive for the athletes,” said Minister Herrmann.
After the carnival holidays, schools will no longer be required to wear masks in physical education classes – regardless of whether the lessons take place outdoors or in a gym, as Prime Minister Söder emphasized. On the other hand, it was not clear on Wednesday how long the students would have to wear their masks in the classroom. He hopes that this will soon no longer be necessary, said Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (Free Voters). The situation is still “not so relaxed that we can give up all protective measures at schools overnight. The health protection of our children and young people as well as the staff working at the school is still the top priority,” said Piazolo on Wednesday.
73.8 percent of the population in Bavaria have had at least one vaccination
In its cabinet report, the State Chancellery gave the reason for the easing that the recent development of the pandemic allows the assumption “that the corona situation will continue to ease in the coming weeks”. The curve of corona infections in Bavaria is currently slowly moving downwards. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 29,730 new cases on Wednesday. The seven-day incidence was 1574 – and thus below the value of the previous week (1763). However, the situation in the clinics is now decisive for political decisions. There were 4071 beds and 399 intensive care beds occupied by patients with corona infection on Wednesday. The situation has remained roughly stable compared to the previous week. However, there is hardly any movement in the vaccination statistics either. According to the RKI, 73.8 percent of the total population in Bavaria had received at least one vaccination on Wednesday, and the rate of third vaccinations was 54.8 percent.
With the latest easing, the state government is taking the second stage of the opening plan that the federal and state governments decided in February. In a third step, on March 20, “all more far-reaching protective measures should be dropped if the situation in the hospitals allows it,” according to the decision. After that, only “basic protection” should apply. What that means in concrete terms is still a matter of debate. The Bundestag wants to discuss a corresponding law in the coming week. It is pretty certain that masks will remain compulsory indoors and on public transport beyond March.