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After several days of intensifying precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19, the Bavarian government announced today during a press conference that severe exit restrictions will be imposed throughout Bavaria starting tonight (Friday) at midnight.
This lockdown period will last two weeks, during which public life will be severely restricted.
Here is what we know so far about the exit restrictions:
- They will begin at midnight on Friday, March 20, 2020 (so technically midnight on Saturday the 21st)
- Restrictions will (initially) last for two weeks
- Leaving the house will not be allowed except for essential activities like work, buying groceries, buying medicine, or going to the doctor
- Walking/exercise outdoors is still allowed, but only alone or with family
- Workers should enable home office whenever possible
- It will not be possible to visit nursing homes or clinics except in the event of death, birth and visits to children from parents
- Hardware stores, garden centers, and hairdressers will close
- Restaurant will close, apart from those offering takeaway/delivery
- Large gatherings will be strictly prohibited
- Restrictions will be enforced by police through extensive checks, and fines will be issued for violations
- As stated in the press conference by Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s State Minister of the Interior, Sport and Integration, fines of up to 25,000 euros are possible
This news follows a sharp increase in cases within Bavaria from Thursday to Friday, in addition to a resistance among many groups to voluntarily self-quarantine despite strong encouragement to do so.
Today’s announcement makes Bavaria the first of Germany’s 16 federal states to announce a statewide lockdown.
You can click here to watch the press conference in German. More on this as it develops.
