In view of further rising infection figures, the Hessian Corona Cabinet today updated the existing and very well functioning escalation concept and added further measures. "Today, we have consistently implemented the decisions of the Conference of Minister Presidents (MPK) with the Chancellor. After all, the more uniform the regulations are, the clearer and easier they are to understand," said Minister-President Volker Bouffier and Minister of Education Prof. Dr. R. Alexander Lorz after the Corona Cabinet meeting in Wiesbaden. "A central building block for containing the Corona pandemic in Hesse is our escalation concept. With this, we make clear specifications as to which specific measures are to be taken locally in the case of which infection events. This has already proven itself excellently and we have now expanded it in accordance with the agreements with the federal government," Bouffier explained.
"With our traffic light system, we have established an emergency mechanism with which we have so far been able to react very well to local outbreaks. We have now revised this system to include measures such as an extension of mandatory masks, further audience restrictions at events and curfews in the catering industry. Unfortunately, there is currently no way around this," said the Prime Minister.
This is new in the Hessian traffic light system (the numbers always indicate the value of new infections per 100.000 inhabitants within 7 days):
Green (incidence <20)
No changes.
Yellow (incidence >20)
Public Events: Permits for public events must always be subject to revocation in the event of rising infection rates.
Inspections: Public order offices must increasingly monitor compliance with the measures.
Health offices: There must be a staffing level of five employees per 20.000 inhabitants for contact tracing must be ensured.
Orange (incidence >35)
Public events: No more than 150 attendees. Exceptions must be approved by the health department using a sanitation plan. Permits already issued beyond this must be reviewed and revoked if necessary.
Mask obligation: The obligation to wear the mouth-nose protection is extended to the areas of entertainment venues (e.g. amusement parks), everywhere outside the own seat at public events, in the catering trade, in churches and comparable rooms. Patients must wear mouth-to-nose coverings when being transported.
Private parties in rented or public spaces: maximum attendance of 25 people (or two households).
Celebrations in private rooms: maximum attendance of 15 people (or two households) strongly recommended.
Curfew: Closure from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. is recommended for catering establishments and places of entertainment.
Controls: Further strengthening of the control activities of the public order offices with regard to compliance with the Corona measures.
Red (incidence >50)
In addition to the strict restrictions in everyday life as well as the close coordination with the country are now added:
Mask obligation: At public events, in public institutions, at funeral services, in churches and comparable premises, a mouth-nose-covering must be worn in addition also at the own seat. For particularly busy streets and squares, the wearing of a mouth/nose covering is at least recommended. Masks are compulsory in outpatient care services and workshops for people with disabilities.
Private parties in rented or public premises: maximum number of participants of 10 people (or 2 households).
Celebrations in private premises: maximum attendance of 10 persons (or two households) strongly recommended.
Closing time and prohibition of consumption of alcohol in public places: a closing time of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. shall be established for eating establishments and places of entertainment. Consumption in public places and the serving of alcohol for immediate consumption shall be prohibited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Public Events: Generally no more than 100 attendees. Permits already issued in excess of this must be reviewed and revoked if necessary. Exceptions require a hygiene concept coordinated with the responsible health department.
Ordnungsämter: Focus the activities of the public order offices with regard to compliance with the measures.
Dark red (incidence >75 or if continued continuous increase over ten days exceeds 50)
Contact restrictions: No more than five people or members of two households may meet in public spaces.
Public Events: Permits for public events already issued or to be issued must be reviewed with a strict standard and revoked if necessary.
The measures described in the escalation concept are binding for the counties and independent cities. They must be implemented accordingly by the responsible local health and regulatory authorities.
Further Corona Cabinet Resolutions:
Ban on accommodation
The ban on accommodation in Hesse has been lifted. With this, Hesse joins the vast majority of the other federal states. The abolition is also intended to spare testing capacities urgently needed for medical purposes.
Schools
"The state government is supporting the school authorities with 10 million euros for the purchase of air purification and similar equipment. These are to be purchased in particular for classrooms where it is not possible to ventilate sufficiently because, for example, windows cannot be opened," explained Hesse's Minister of Education Lorz after the Corona Cabinet meeting. He added that keeping educational facilities open is a "central priority of our actions."
Quarantine Ordinance
The model quarantine ordinance agreed between the federal government and the states will be implemented with further exceptions for e.g. business travelers and for medically necessary travel. In these points, nothing changes in the regulation of the state.
Most important change: Until now, it is possible in Hesse after entry from a risk area, with a Corona test, for example at Frankfurt Airport, to end the nationwide quarantine obligation already on the day of entry. This option is no longer available. A "free test" with a negative Corona test is only possible from the fifth day. Until then, entrants from risk areas must go into quarantine.
