Fines, unvaccinated people: That will change for consumers in November

Wrong parking, quarantine, Christmas markets
That will change for consumers in November

by Daniel Bakir
10/27/2021, 5:00 p.m.

There are some important changes for consumers in November: What drivers, employees and travelers to the USA need to know – and how the carnival and Christmas atmosphere should arise under Corona conditions.

Continued payment of wages in quarantine

Voluntarily unvaccinated people who have to be in corona quarantine will no longer receive compensation for loss of earnings from November 1st. All federal states except Bremen and Thuringia have approved this decision. Those returning from high-risk and virus variant areas as well as contact persons of corona infected people can be affected. Until now, they were entitled to state compensation under the Infection Protection Act. Since the quarantine can now be prevented by vaccination, the claim is no longer applicable.

The situation is different for those who do not want to vaccinate who contract Corona themselves: They still have a fundamental right to continued payment of wages in the event of illness. There are also exceptions to the new quarantine regulation for people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons; they continue to receive compensation. In addition, for legal reasons, the decision does not apply to unvaccinated civil servants in most federal states.

Higher road fines

From November 9th it will be more expensive for speeders and illegal parking. Because from then on, the new catalog of fines for road traffic violations will apply. Driving too fast sometimes costs twice as much: anyone who is flashed too much in urban areas at 16 to 20 km / h pays 70 instead of 35 euros. Out of town, 16 to 20 km / h will cost 60 euros too much in the future (previously 30). From 21 km / h you exceed the speed limit, it becomes three-digit.

The fines also increase for wrong parking. Anyone who parks their car in a simple no-stopping or parking ban will in future pay at least 25 euros (previously 15 euros). The fines increase from one hour of wrong parking and / or if you hinder others. If you park in the second row, you will pay a fine of at least 55 euros instead of 20 euros. For second-row parkers who obstruct other road users for more than 15 minutes, the fine increases from 35 to 90 euros.

Even those who stand unauthorized in parking spaces for the disabled, park fire brigade driveways or cycle paths and sidewalks will have to pay more in the future. Pedestrian and cycle path parkers pay 55 to 100 euros, depending on the duration and severity of the violation. Completely new to the fine program: Unauthorized parking in parking spaces for e-cars or car-sharing vehicles costs 55 euros.

Travel to the USA possible again

For a year and a half, traveling to the United States was virtually impossible. From November 8th, tourists will be allowed to fly to the USA again. The prerequisite is a complete vaccination AND a negative corona test, which must not be more than 72 hours old. Watch out: just being well is not enough. In the United States, convalescents must be given two syringes to be considered fully vaccinated. It is still unclear whether the individual vaccination planned in Germany after recovery is sufficient. In principle, the USA accepts all vaccines that are also approved here. Exceptions should apply to children and people who cannot be vaccinated. Due to the general corona situation, the Federal Foreign Office continues to warn against unnecessary tourist trips to the country.

Christmas markets start earlier

Last year, the Christmas market season had to be largely canceled due to the pandemic, but this year it should start particularly early. Some Christmas markets open as early as mid-November. The corona requirements are likely to vary from region to region. In Berlin, for example, there will be a mask requirement – unless the market is only open to vaccinated and convalescent people. For 3G Christmas markets, Hamburg stipulates masks, limited visitor numbers, distances between the tables and an alcohol curfew from 10 p.m. Such restrictions have been lifted for markets with the 2G model.

Carnival start under Corona conditions

In some regions, people in November not only get in the mood for the upcoming Christmas festivities. 11.11. officially begins the foolish session. After the compulsory break last year, this year’s carnival start is more than just the usual routine. If you want to celebrate, you have to observe the Corona rules: The traditional session opening in Cologne’s old town, for example, runs under 2G conditions and with admission tickets. Many indoor parties also use 2G mode, while others use 3G Plus (recovery, vaccinated, PCR-tested).

Black Friday discounts

Around Black Friday on November 26th, retailers are again advertising on a large scale with discounts. The shopping event imported from the USA has become more and more established with us in recent years. To what extent goods bottlenecks will be felt this time due to disrupted international supply chains is still unclear. For bargain hunters there will be plenty of colorful offers in any case.

Sources: DPA / ADAC / Ministry of Foreign Affairs / city ​​Cologne / City of Hamburg