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After an initial announcement on Sunday evening that a Katastrophenfall was imminent in the state of Bavaria, Bavarian prime minister Markus Söder held a press conference on Monday detailing the measures that will be taken throughout the state to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Here are the main takeaways translated for you from the official announcement on Bayern.de here.
You can also watch the full press conference here.
Important Measures Being Taken During the Bavarian Katastrophenfall
1. Events and meetings will be prohibited
From March 17 – April 19, 2020 (inclusive)
This excludes private celebrations where all participants share a personal relationship (e.g. friends and family).
Exemptions for this rule can be granted by the administrative authorities of individual districts upon request.
2. All facilities meant solely for leisure activities will be closed
From March 17 – April 19, 2020 (inclusive)
In other words, facilities that do not serve essential daily activities will cease operation during this period. This includes the following:
- Sauna and bathing establishments
- Cinemas
- Conference and event rooms
- Clubs, bars and discotheques
- Game halls
- Theaters
- Club rooms
- Brothels
- Museums
- City tours
- Sports halls
- Playgrounds
- Fitness studios
- Libraries
- Wellness centers
- Spas
- Dance schools
- Animal parks
- Amusement centers
- Training and further education centers
- Adult education centers
- Music schools
- Youth centers
3. Operation of most catering establishments will be suspended (with a few exceptions)
From March 18 – March 30, 2020 (inclusive)
Company canteens, dining halls and establishments where meals are handed over for consumption on the spot will be allowed to operate from 6am to 3pm, however a distance of 1.5m between guests is mandatory, along with a maximum of 30 people in each room.
Food delivery services will be allowed to run as normal. In fact, many like Lieferando have introduced contactless delivery options.
Hotels will also be able to serve food so long that they are only catering for overnight guests.
4. Most retail shops will be closed (with a few exceptions)
From March 18 – March 30, 2020 (inclusive)
No retail shops will be allowed to operate during this period, except for:
- Grocery stores
- Beverage stores
- Banks
- Pharmacies
- Drugstores
- Medical supply stores
- Opticians
- Hearing care professionals
- Branches of Deutsche Post AG
- Pet supplies shops
- DIY and garden centers
- Petrol stations
- Motor vehicle workshops
- Dry cleaners
- Online retailers
NOTE: Exceptional permits may be granted on request by the administrative authorities in individual districts provided that supplying this business is absolutely necessary for the general population.
5. Opening times will change for stores that remain open
From March 18 – March 30, 2020 (inclusive)
The shops that will remain open (as listed in number 4) will be permitted to operate outside of hours stipulated by § 3 LadSchlG. In other words, the shops that remain open will have the following exceptional hours:
- on working days from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- on Sundays and public holidays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Again, to read the official statement in German, click here.
