What are Frankfurt's new rules to control spread of Covid-19?
Tough measures are being introduced in Germany's financial capital to control the spread of coronavirus. We take a look.
What's the situation?
Like many other places in Germany, the number of coronavirus infections in Frankfurt is rising.
In the Hesse capital, the so-called incidence value, i.e. the number of new infections per 100,000 people over the past seven days, is approaching the threshold value of 50.
On Tuesday the incidence value was 46.5. About 300 people in the city are currently infected by the virus. Now the city has agreed on stricter measures.
The central state of Hesse has reported more than 20,100 coronavirus cases since the pandemic begin. There have been around 306,000 confirmed infections in Germany in total.
The capital Berlin has also introduced tougher measures as infection numbers soar across Europe.
EXPLAINED: What you need to know about Berlin's new coronavirus restrictions
What are the new rules?
- Frankfurt has announced a 10pm curfew for restaurants, bistros, pubs and bars. However, the curfew does not affect freedom of movement on streets, mayor Peter Feldmann of the Social Democrats, added. It also doesn't affect cinemas or events such as exhibitions or book fairs.
- Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 25 people in public or rented spaces, while in private there is an urgent recommendation to limit the number of people to 10.
- In shopping centres or busy shopping streets, face masks will become obligatory.
- There will also be a ban on alcohol consumption in public places and parks. The ban is primarily intended to curb open-air parties.
- On Thursday the local government will set out exactly where compulsory masks will apply, as well as the locations of the alcohol ban.
When do the restrictions come into force?
All measures are to apply from Friday October 9th until next Sunday October 18th.
What else is planned?
The city is also considering postponing the launch of "Autumn in the City" (Herbst in der Stadt), a move that would hit firms in the city hard.
From Thursday onwards, 40 stall holders are being given the opportunity to gather in public squares to attract customers as part of the event.
Organisers have been urged to look at their safety and hygiene concept again to see if a solution can be found, such as a more stringent concept.
READ ALSO: 'Who's controlling it?': Why you could face domestic travel restrictions within Germany
What's the reaction?
Mayor Feldmann has called for an emergency meeting with 10 of Germany's largest cities on Friday to discuss how to coordinate measures and limit the spread of Covid-19.
"The message is relatively simple and clear: Coronavirus is still there and coronavirus is still dangerous," said Feldmann.
"We are on the verge of the escalation stage red. The measures we have decided on today are sometimes severe."
The aim of the measures is to prevent a general lockdown, he added.
"We are not making ourselves popular with this, but there is no other way," said Feldmann. "The latest increase forces us to take measures that clearly intervene in the lives of citizens," said Feldmann.
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What's the situation?
Like many other places in Germany, the number of coronavirus infections in Frankfurt is rising.
In the Hesse capital, the so-called incidence value, i.e. the number of new infections per 100,000 people over the past seven days, is approaching the threshold value of 50.
On Tuesday the incidence value was 46.5. About 300 people in the city are currently infected by the virus. Now the city has agreed on stricter measures.
The central state of Hesse has reported more than 20,100 coronavirus cases since the pandemic begin. There have been around 306,000 confirmed infections in Germany in total.
The capital Berlin has also introduced tougher measures as infection numbers soar across Europe.
EXPLAINED: What you need to know about Berlin's new coronavirus restrictions
What are the new rules?
- Frankfurt has announced a 10pm curfew for restaurants, bistros, pubs and bars. However, the curfew does not affect freedom of movement on streets, mayor Peter Feldmann of the Social Democrats, added. It also doesn't affect cinemas or events such as exhibitions or book fairs.
- Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 25 people in public or rented spaces, while in private there is an urgent recommendation to limit the number of people to 10.
- In shopping centres or busy shopping streets, face masks will become obligatory.
- There will also be a ban on alcohol consumption in public places and parks. The ban is primarily intended to curb open-air parties.
- On Thursday the local government will set out exactly where compulsory masks will apply, as well as the locations of the alcohol ban.
When do the restrictions come into force?
All measures are to apply from Friday October 9th until next Sunday October 18th.
What else is planned?
The city is also considering postponing the launch of "Autumn in the City" (Herbst in der Stadt), a move that would hit firms in the city hard.
From Thursday onwards, 40 stall holders are being given the opportunity to gather in public squares to attract customers as part of the event.
Organisers have been urged to look at their safety and hygiene concept again to see if a solution can be found, such as a more stringent concept.
READ ALSO: 'Who's controlling it?': Why you could face domestic travel restrictions within Germany
What's the reaction?
Mayor Feldmann has called for an emergency meeting with 10 of Germany's largest cities on Friday to discuss how to coordinate measures and limit the spread of Covid-19.
"The message is relatively simple and clear: Coronavirus is still there and coronavirus is still dangerous," said Feldmann.
"We are on the verge of the escalation stage red. The measures we have decided on today are sometimes severe."
The aim of the measures is to prevent a general lockdown, he added.
"We are not making ourselves popular with this, but there is no other way," said Feldmann. "The latest increase forces us to take measures that clearly intervene in the lives of citizens," said Feldmann.
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