(further details and quotes from Söder before CSU board members)
MUNICH (dpa-AFX) – In Munich and other Corona hotspots in Bavaria there should be a mask requirement in public places where distance rules are not observed. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) already promised this on Monday in view of the high number of new infections for the state capital. And on this Tuesday the cabinet wants to adopt a corresponding target rule for all Bavarian municipalities in which the number of new infections is more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. Söder announced this on Monday in Munich.
According to Söder, it is the decision of the municipalities concerned in which public places exactly the mask requirement applies. The cabinet will also talk about the exact times again. In any case, Söder pleaded for a mask requirement from the evening hours: “From a certain time in any case,” said Söder in front of a video switch of the CSU board. And in certain places there should also be a ban on alcohol. According to Söder, there should only be exceptions in cases in which the infection process can be clearly assigned to specific outbreak foci. In Munich, for example, this is currently no longer possible.
He was very much in favor of introducing mandatory masking in public places “where keeping your distance is not possible or not wanted,” Söder told Bayerischer Rundfunk in the morning. Then the regulatory authorities could react accordingly. “Munich is too big to just ignore it now and let it go.” He is in close contact with Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD). “We actually coordinate with each other on a daily basis.” Munich will also take measures of its own accord, said Söder. The state capital’s crisis team has been meeting since the morning and advising on the consequences.
He has very mixed feelings, said Söder, looking at photos of certain Wiesn replacement parties at the weekend in Munich. “The pictures from the Viktualienmarkt were disturbing,” he criticized. Photos showed people crowded there, without distance and without a mask.
“I don’t want to take the joy away from anyone,” emphasized the Prime Minister. “But joy and reason should better come together.” You now have to react to significantly reduce the corona numbers again.
Regardless of the corona numbers that have risen again in many municipalities, the state government had recently stuck to another easing step: bars and pubs have also been allowed to reopen since Saturday – albeit only under certain conditions.
Söder emphasized that he was concerned about events that were not organized professionally. “The problem is the countless private events, including meetings in the squares.” In this context, Söder also repeated his clear priorities: The aim is to continue to enable schools and daycare centers to continue operating and to protect the economy from renewed massive restrictions.
On Sunday, the corona numbers in Munich reached 55.6 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in one week. In this context, Söder spoke of the strong recklessness of some. “Munich has very high numbers, too high numbers.” He announced that armed forces should now support the health department in Munich with personnel. “We will ask the Bundeswehr to provide 100 people to improve tracking.”
In view of the upcoming Supercup game between FC Bayern Munich and FC Sevilla in the Budapest corona risk area, Söder also announced stricter quarantine rules for returning fans. The corresponding quarantine regulation will be changed. So far, there has been an exception for certain cases: Anyone who has stayed in a risk area abroad for less than 48 hours does not have to be in quarantine at home. “We’re going to change that and have to change that.”
The exemption for business trips could not apply to football or cultural events. “Hungary is a high-risk area. Therefore, from my point of view, it is imperative that we then have the normal quarantine rules.” Everyone should think carefully about whether they really want to go there, warned Söder. One could not afford that 2000 to 3000 people possibly caused a “huge wave of infections” in the end. For business travelers, however, according to Söder, the exception rule should remain.
The European Football Union UEFA has so far been sticking to its plans to play the Supercup final in front of spectators on Thursday (9 p.m.) in the Puskás Arena. The stadium capacity of 67,000 spectators is to be used up to 30 percent. Both clubs have around 3000 tickets available. Around 2100 football fans want to accompany FC Bayern to Budapest on Sunday, according to information ./ctt/had/aro/cor/DP/stk
