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The upper house of the EU country today passed a law that gives the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel more powers to fight a third wave of Covid. The amendment to the Infection Protection Act allows the national government to impose curfews between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., as well as restrict private gatherings, sports and shop openings. Schools will close and return to online classes if the spread of the virus exceeds 165 cases per 100,000 population.
The law still has to be signed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier before it can come into force.
Ms. Merkel drafted the law after some of the 16 federal states refused to take strict measures despite an increase in cases.
Several parties rejected the measures after the law was promulgated in the Bundestag.
Manuela Schwesig, chairwoman of the northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, said the change had not gone far enough.
She told ZDF television: “This law has a serious design flaw.
“This law will not reduce the number of infections.”
Other prime ministers in Germany shared their concerns about the emergency brake.
Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier from the CDU, said the exit restrictions were “constitutionally problematic”, especially with the planned school closings.
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The law passed today is known as the Opposition Act.
This means that the approval of the Federal Council is not required.
However, the regional chamber could still involve the mediation committee and then delay the law.
It comes after Germany reported an increase of 29,518 cases today.
That makes a total of 3.21 million.
Around 80,893 people have now died from the virus.
Doctors have warned that intensive care units may have difficulty dealing with this if action is not taken.
The 7-day incidence rate increased slightly to 161.1 per 100,000.
As a result, the emergency brake is expected to last until June 30th.
In Germany, too, the unrest over the lockdown has increased.
Earlier this week, thousands of anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated near Parliament.
The police broke up demonstrations at the Brandenburg Gate and more than 150 people were arrested for violating the rules of Covid and also attacking officials.
Officials added they fired pepper spray when protesters tried to get through a barrier at the gate.
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