Bundestag and Bundesrat have passed amendments to the Infection Protection Act. The curfew of the "Corona emergency brake" means: ban on driving cars after 10 p.M!
Berlin – The coronavirus and the measures taken to contain it are now slowing down motorists – nationwide. Because with the entry into force of the so-called "Corona emergency brake" anchored by the Bundestag in the Infection Protection Act in matters of virus control come automatic night curfews in risk areas. Currently, this applies to the overwhelming majority of counties in Germany. Also evening and nocturnal car journeys are thereby energetically put a stop to. But what is the purpose? (Driving ban because of climate protection? Federal government reacts to Karlsruhe ruling)
Car ban from 10 p.M.: Corona emergency brake means curfew for the car
The change in the law for the "federal lockdown" takes effect in all cities and counties in which the 7-day incidence (weekly sum of daily new infections per 100.000 inhabitants) is higher than the limit value of 100 – if this is the case in the area concerned on three consecutive days. An essential part of the "Corona emergency brake" is a curfew between 10 p.M. And 5 a.M. – during this period, all citizens are only allowed to leave their homes or their own property in exceptional circumstances. Activities that serve the physical and mental health, such as jogging or walks to relieve stress remain – individuals traveling alone – allowed until midnight. (Paint attack on Smart car by Karl Lauterbach (SPD): "I can't drive it anymore")
Motorist, however, issues a nocturnal driving ban. This results compellingly from the made regulations. Driving a motor vehicle on a whim does not fall under the "individual sport" exceptions. Even if it is about the definition here – because cycling should most likely pass. The car, on the other hand, counts as a means of transport on the way from A to B. (Because of Corona masks: Uber driver refuses to transport women – situation escalates completely)
The health policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Sabine Dittmar, explained that "physical exercise alone, but not driving a car" is allowed after 10 p.M. CDU health politician Rudolf Henke confirmed this – and explicitly pointed out that increased controls are conceivable. Drivers who are still on the road after the curfew has expired can be pulled out of traffic by the police. And that can become quite expensive – in some federal states up to 500 euros fine are due. (Corona lockdown extreme: Opel Corsa owner blocks road – so that everyone stays at home)
Car ban from 10 p.M.: What it means, what it's for and what it brings
Background of the considerations of the Federal Government is naturally not the desire for a purposeful car driving prohibition as such. The latter results rather from the regulations made to curb the deadly coronavirus and thus somehow bring the third wave of the pandemic under control. Basically, this continues to be solely about reducing contacts between people. Because these can transmit the virus, infect others – and thus further spread SARS-CoV-2. Nighttime curfews are now expected to limit people's after-hours visiting behavior in the evening. Of course – if you have to be home by 10 p.M., you save yourself a lot of visits to family, friends and acquaintances that you might otherwise have allowed yourself to make. (Caregivers stuck in super traffic jam – they first vaccinate motorists against Covid-19)
But that also means the 10 p.M. To 5 a.M. Ban on driving is coming – and it will affect all drivers who aren't behind the wheel for a "valid reason". The following are considered valid reasons, according to the package of measures, which again mainly works with restrictions on private life, but largely leaves out businesses in many industries:
– Trips to and from the workplace
– Trips to and from the doctor
– Driving to and from relatives in need of care
– Driving to and from the exercise of custody rights
– Journeys to and from the companionship of the dying
In fact, as hard as it may hit individuals, the whole thing is arguably having a positive effect on protecting the public from contracting Covid-19. This shows, in addition to examples in other European countries, the evolution of the figures in Hamburg. In the Hanseatic city with its 1.8 million inhabitants, curfew restrictions previously applied between 9 p.M. And 5 a.M. The Hamburg Senate around the First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) had already pulled the emergency brake to contain the Corona pandemic at the end of March. Like 24hamburg.De writes about the car ban,* the measures are having an effect, the incidence value is falling continuously. Still, it's not just many motorists who are wondering why, yet another time, all the measures are aimed at private citizens – when the necessary contact reductions could arguably be achieved far more effectively in other areas.