Coronavirus: Bavaria declares a disaster
Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has declared a disaster in the Free State to contain the coronavirus outbreak. What sounds dramatic is mainly due to organizational reasons. The measure gives the authorities greater powers to act centrally, unbureaucratically and quickly. The disaster will initially apply for 14 days. For security reasons, the conference took place exclusively as a live broadcast.
Bavaria was particularly affected by the corona crisis because of its borders with Austria and Italy, said Söder. The chains of infection could no longer be traced.
The numbers are no longer developing linearly, but exponentially, said the Bavarian State Minister for Health, Melanie Huml (CSU). Without decisive measures, the number of Bavarian patients would rise from currently just over 1000 to 10,000 by the next weekend.
Söder warned: "Even anyone who does not have major symptoms can be contagious." That is why each individual must take responsibility for those at risk. A high degree of social cohesion is necessary. "We don't leave anyone alone."
Basic services strengthened, leisure activities suspended
“Everything that serves the basic supply remains open. Everything that is free time is closed, ”said Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), summarizing the situation. The following measures were decided:
Schools and childcare: Due to the spread of the corona virus, schools, kindergartens and daycare centers in Bavaria will close from Monday to April 19. After that there will be a reassessment of the situation. The children should continue to work from home, including using working papers and digital offers. It is strongly advised not to leave the care to the grandparents.
Shops and restaurants: For shops that serve the basic supply, the shop closing times will be relaxed. This applies to supermarkets, grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and banks. They can stay open on weekdays until 10 p.m. and on Sundays until 6 p.m. Restaurants and canteens in Bavaria are only allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Leisure activities: Leisure facilities such as fitness studios and swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, bars and discos will remain closed. Events with more than 100 participants are prohibited, smaller events should only be approved in exceptional cases if they are essential.
Visits to nursing homes, hospitals etc .: For hospitals, old people's homes, nursing homes and homes for the handicapped, the opportunities to visit are considerably restricted in order to protect residents and patients at risk.
There are initially no plans for curfews in Bavaria. But Söder appealed to all citizens to think carefully about which places they want to visit. "I cannot promise that it will be the last few measures," said Söder.
The measures are intended to create time to increase medical care.Bavaria currently has 4,000 intensive care beds, which are normally used up to 80 percent. In order to create more space for the expected severe coronavirus patients, all operations that are not necessary are to be postponed.
In order to increase the effectiveness of medical care, further intensive care units have already been ordered. In addition, there should be mandatory reporting for intensive care beds and ventilators outside of state hospitals. For example, private clinics for aesthetic surgery should also make their devices available.
In order to acquire additional medical staff at short notice, medical students, doctors and nurses on parental leave or in retirement as well as former community service providers are to be called upon to help. Furthermore, hotlines and laboratory capacities are to be strengthened.
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