WIESBADEN, Germany, January 19, 2021 - COVID rules in Germany seem to be ever-changing and never-ending. The rules that were implemented Dec. 16 and were in effect until Jan. 10 were extended to Jan. 31 and additional stricter measures were implemented.

According to German news, extending the current measures until Easter is being discussed. However, binding measures can only be decided for a maximum of four weeks. This is stipulated in the German Infection Protection Act.

The current rules will remain in effect until Jan. 31. Another meeting of the Ministerial Conference of the Federal States is expected Tuesday, Jan. 19, and they will decide if the current rules will be changed or extended for another four weeks. Then, the individual states will implement the rules.

The current regulations in Hessen include the following measures:

Contact restrictions are in place. Only one household plus one other person from another household are allowed to gather. Children also count. A distance of 1.5 m has to be maintained when possible.

Celebrations and alcohol consumption in public are prohibited.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops - except the ones with essential goods such as supermarkets or pharmacies etc. – remain closed. However, restaurants are allowed to sell food to go or for delivery.

In publicly accessible buildings, in public transportation and outside - when 1.5 m cannot be maintained - face coverings are mandatory. Children under the age of six and people who cannot wear a mask for health reasons are exempt.

Overnight stays in hotels for tourist and leisure reasons are prohibited.

Employers are urged to make teleworking available whenever possible.

For students in grades one to six, the in-class attendance obligation is waived, and distance learning strongly recommended, although, in cases of emergency, they can still go to school when the student would be unattended at home. Students in grades seven and above participate in distance learning. Students in their final year have in-class instruction.

Retirement and nursing homes still have to apply a strict hygiene concept. Relatives are only allowed to enter after being tested.

In areas with very high incidence rates over 200 (cases per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days), a restriction of movement of 15 kilometers (approximately 9 miles) around the place of residence may be introduced. Exceptions are travel to and from work and essential errands. In addition, a curphew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. may be applied. Leaving the residence for important reasons, such as medical emergencies, work, taking care of minors etc. is still allowed. Information can be found on the websites of the respective cities and districts.