Editor in chief at IamExpat Media
The Bundesrat has approved the amended Infection Protection Act, giving Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government the power to impose tougher nationwide measures against COVID-19.
After a heated debate on Thursday, the Bundesrat, which represents Germany’s 16 federal states, approved a controversial amendment to the country’s Infection Protection Act. The bill is what is known as an Einspruchsgesetz, meaning it didn’t require the Bundesrat’s consent to pass.
It will now be put to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who can sign the law. It is expected to come into force in the coming days, at the earliest on Saturday, and will apply until the end of June initially.
In a nutshell, the law - which has been dubbed the “federal emergency brake” by German media - prescribes that if the number of new infections per 100.000 inhabitants within seven days (the seven-day incidence rate) rises above 100 in a district or city for three consecutive days, local authorities must impose tougher measures, including:
You can find a more detailed overview of the rules here.
Currently, around 352 out of 412 districts and cities in Germany have a seven-day incidence rate above 100. Some have preemptively already imposed tougher restrictions. You should check local guidance to make sure if any different rules apply in your area.