It is “apparently everything is in order”, says Markus Söder: The corona incidence in Bavaria continues to fall, currently to 6.8, eleven districts report the “very, very positive number zero”. But because of the spreading delta variant, “basic parameters of caution” and “prudence in dealing” with the virus are still required – also with a view to autumn. “We don’t want to” dampen the joy of life, “but the prerequisites must be met to keep the numbers low. On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers dealt with the strategy for the coming weeks and with medium-term measures. An overview.
Classroom: The government plans to have ventilation systems in every classroom after the holidays. Then every school should be equipped with such mobile devices, said Söder. 50 percent of the acquisition costs will be borne by the Free State, the other half will be borne by the municipalities, who are usually responsible for material costs for the schools. The aim is to “make schools as safe as possible” after the vacation period. Everyone has to do their part – he hears positive signals from the city and county council that the modalities are still going on. One wants to “make steam when ventilating”. The Prime Minister warned: Anyone who refuses to do so will “trigger public debates in their region”. Setting up the filters is not “legally binding” for the municipalities, said Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (FW); but it is “clearly more than a request”. There are currently such devices in 14,000 classrooms and 1,000 day-care centers. In the first program, at that time with full funding, it was initially about non-ventilable rooms. The SPD parliamentary group warned on Tuesday against shifting responsibility to the municipalities – the Free State must bear at least 80 percent. The FDP spoke of an “air number without an implementation plan” – and “too late” at that.
Masks in schools: At secondary schools, if the incidence is below 25, a mask is no longer required to be worn in the field. The value 25 is new in the measures statics and apparently the result of a compromise between the coalition partners. Regular testing in schools is to be expanded, Söder spoke of three tests per week.
Leisure: The Free State pays the first annual fee for elementary school students when they join sports clubs. It is about “active physical activity promotion” and sport regardless of social conditions. The clubs that suffered from withdrawals during the crisis should also be helped in this way. In addition, the government will promote the early swimmer badge. First graders and new preschoolers receive a voucher for the “Seahorse” course; also to promote swimming ability. There should be a “summer pass” for all school leavers, with which they will receive free entry to state castles or museums as well as free rides on the Bavarian shipping company. Finance Minister Albert Füracker spoke of a “well-deserved reward”, while Science Minister Bernd Sibler (both CSU) praised the graduates “having proven that they can continue on their way even in challenging situations”.
Gastronomy: The curfew will be postponed from midnight to 1 a.m. Night restaurants and discos remain closed, there is also no perspective. This is also due to the fact that the young target group is not vaccinated, said Söder. Economy Minister Hubert Aiwanger (FW) stated that he would have liked openings here. He is pleased that supra-regional markets are being allowed again.
Events: Under hygienic conditions, outdoor sports and culture will in future allow up to 1,500 spectators instead of the previous 500, including up to 200 in standing places with a minimum distance. In halls and theaters, as many guests are allowed as possible according to the spacing, a maximum of 1000; this also applies to congresses.
Returning travelers: Söder calls on the federal government to check strict test and quarantine obligations for those returning from summer vacation. The previous “refusal of the federal government” was “disappointing”. The topic has been debated nationwide for days. Bavaria wants to present a concept, for example with a veil search at the borders, but the federal government is asked. “We don’t want to be back where we were last year in September,” said Söder. In 2020, vacationers were considered to be one of the causes of the renewed increase in infections in autumn.