by Thorsten Koch

Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left) wants to continue to get out of many Corona restrictions despite numerous critical voices. He said the crisis mode should be ended. The aim is to go into control mode. State interference in fundamental rights is not justified in his state, where there are currently 238 confirmed Corona cases. However, Ramelow emphasized that the minimum distance of 1.5 meters and wearing a nose and throat protection made sense.

Following earlier statements by the left politician, there had been massive criticism. It was assumed that Ramelow wanted to move away from both central measures.

In the meantime, a number of Federal States have decided to grant lifting of limits to the operation of schools and day care centers. In some countries, medium-sized events will be re-approved. A ‘federal-state conference’ was adjourned today, and various state governments announced that they would rather coordinate internally. The main spokesman for the Federal Government, Seibert, emphasized that there should still be binding orders regarding distance, contacts and hygiene.

Strong reservations uttered

In Thuringia, Environment Minister Siegesmund (Greens) and Interior Minister Maier (SPD) had strong reservations regarding excessive easing of the Corona measures. Bavaria’s Minister of the Interior Herrmann (CSU) advocated a common line for joint agreements between the Federal States. It didn’t make sense to have to wear a mask on the express train in Bavaria, then take it off through Thuringia and put it back on to Berlin.

Berlin, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia discussed possible easing today. After Thuringia, certain easing was under discussion for Saxony, for example concerning visits to old people’s and nursing homes. In Saxony-Anhalt, elementary schooling is scheduled to begin again on June 15th.