Germany’s state and federal governments have implemented tougher restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Several states introduced the new restrictions from Monday, others are expected to follow from Tuesday.

Tougher COVID restrictions introduced in Germany

On December 21, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the state premiers of Germany’s 16 federal states met to discuss tougher restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant that is currently sweeping through Germany. Whilst some states introduced tougher contact regulations before Christmas, most decided to wait until after Boxing Day to implement the new restrictions.

New restrictions were introduced in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg on Monday, with the remaining states due to follow on Tuesday, Tuesday being the deadline for the new rules to be implemented across the country. Berlin, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse all brought in new restrictions on Tuesday.

Contact restrictions and the closure of public venues

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state government has overseen the closure of many public institutions, including cinemas, theatres and museums. These restrictions, originally only applied to the centre and eastern parts of the state, have been implemented statewide due to a wave of Omicron infections expected to hit the state in the coming days.

The state government of Brandenburg has set a limit of up to ten people, who have either been vaccinated or can show proof of recovery, at private gatherings. The restriction applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings and will be in place until January 11, at the earliest. Households where an unvaccinated person is living will only be allowed to receive a maximum of two guests, with children under the age of 14 not counted. Lower Saxony has also set a limit of ten vaccinated or recovered persons at private gatherings.

From Monday, a curfew has been implemented on catering establishments in Baden-Württemberg, including bars and cafes, from 10:30pm until 5am. On New Year’s Eve, the curfew will be enforced from 1am to 5am.