The City Association Challenges Holiday Regulations' Loosening
In light of rising COVID-19 infection numbers, Gerd Landsberg, the managing director of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, has expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with relaxations during the upcoming holiday season.
Landsberg did not provide any specific information about the impact of the current situation on the economy or businesses, but he did mention that there are regions, like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the incidence value of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week is largely adhered to or even undershot. He also noted that within federal states, such as North Rhine-Westphalia, there are clear differences in new infection rates, with fewer new infections in Münster and significantly more in the nearby city of Bielefeld.
In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, Landsberg is open to tightening stricter contact restrictions that have been in place since December 1st in almost all federal states. He suggested additional measures such as alternating classes in schools, distance learning for older students, a strengthened mask requirement, and limiting the number of people from two households who can meet.
Moreover, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities is reconsidering the easing of contact restrictions over Christmas and New Year due to high COVID-19 infection numbers. However, there is no current specific information about any calls for a reconsideration of Christmas and New Year COVID-19 restrictions or any suggested measures for these holidays in 2025.
It is advised to check the official German Association of Towns and Municipalities website or reliable German news sources for up-to-date details on any changes to the holiday restrictions. Landsberg stated that relaxations over Christmas and New Year may lead to more contacts and increased travel activities, posing a risk.
Landsberg did not mention any new testing or vaccination strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, nor did he provide any new email or communication channel for updates on the situation. The search results describe past government responses to COVID-19 restrictions in Germany, including curfews and other measures from earlier in the pandemic, but no recent or specific calls related to Christmas and New Year COVID-19 restrictions by the German Association of Towns and Municipalities were found.
In the context of raised COVID-19 infection numbers, there's a need for consideration of additional health-and-wellness measures during the holiday season, as suggested by Gerd Landsberg. This includes the possibility of other science-based strategies to curb the virus's spread, such as stricter contact restrictions or alternating classes in schools.
