| What are the rules for day care centres? |
Daycare centres and nurseries remain open, but parents are asked to look after their children at home and to use children's sick pay. Depending on the local infection situation, daycare centres may close. Please check with the respective facilities as there may be regional variations. Parental contributions are covered by the state if care is provided at home. A new option is the splitting of care (e.g. 3 days at home, 2 days at the day care centre), in which case the state pays the contributions proportionally. In counties or independent cities with particularly high infection rates, daycare centers must be closed if the 7-day incidence exceeds 300 over several days. Emergency care is offered. These regulations apply as long as the incidence values in a district or independent city are below 200. If this value is exceeded for three days in a row, daycare centers would close again. In this case, working parents who have to look after their children (under 12 years of age) at home due to the day-care centre and school closure are entitled to the so-called child sickness benefit. For children with disabilities, the age restriction does not apply. Currently (according to the decision of the Federal Cabinet) each parent receives 30 days per child and single parents 60 days per child. In this case, the health insurance fund takes over part of the loss of wages, since the employer does not have to pay the wages for these days. However, the reimbursement amount does not correspond to the full net wage, but is lower. |
| What rules apply to primary schools? |
Elementary schools from grades 1 to 6 will remain in alternate instruction after the Easter break. From 19 April compulsory testing will be introduced, pupils and teachers will have to be tested at least 2x/week. Students will not be allowed to enter schools without a negative rapid test. Compulsory attendance was suspended on 23/3, i.e. children do not now have to attend attendance classes in any case. Emergency care is made available in schools/ after-school programs for single parents and parents in system-related jobs. There are different arrangements for emergency care in schools depending on the infectious event. For working parents who have to care for their children (under 12 years of age) at home due to daycare and school closure, there is the so-called child sickness benefit. For children with disabilities, the age restriction does not apply. Currently (according to the decision of the Federal Cabinet), each parent receives 30 days per child and single parents receive 60 days per Child. In this case, the health insurance fund takes over part of the loss of wages, since the employer does not have to pay the wages for these days. However, the reimbursement amount does not correspond to the full net wage, but is lower. |
| What rules apply to secondary schools? |
After the Easter holidays, the secondary schools go back to distance learning. Only the final classes remain in face-to-face teaching. |
| What rules apply to educational institutions? |
Face-to-face courses in educational, training and further education institutions can take place with up to five people. Examinations can also take place with more people if necessary. |
| What rules apply to universities & universities of applied sciences? |
Classroom lectures are suspended, the summer semester is mainly held in digital form. For further information on classroom lectures (e.g. for exams and written examinations) and digital lectures, please contact your university/college. |
| What are the rules for visiting the doctor? |
Preventive examinations can be carried out. |
| What rules apply in contact with people? |
If the seven-day incidence is below 100, two households may meet. If the seven-day incidence is above 100, the rule applies that one household plus one person from outside the household may meet. Children under 14 are exempt from these rules. If the 7-day incidence is above 100 for at least three continuous days, the federal emergency brake rules apply. |
| What rules apply to sporting activities? |
Recreational and amateur sports activities in public and private sports facilities are prohibited. Fitness studios are closed. Individual sports are allowed alone, in pairs or with your own household. |
| What rules apply to cultural events? |
Attendance at Easter mass or religious events can take place if the church or religious community can present an appropriate hygiene concept. Playgrounds are open, hygiene and distance rules must be observed. From 8 March, with an incidence of 50 to 100, museums, galleries, botanical gardens and zoos with appointment bookings may open to visitors. If the incidence is below 50, these cultural institutions may open without appointment bookings. Cinemas, theatres and operas will be allowed to open at an incidence of 50 to 100 from 22 March at the earliest. |
| What rules apply to hotel and restaurant visits? |
Restaurants and cafes must remain closed, pick up food and eat at home is allowed. Alcohol consumption in public spaces is prohibited in the period from 16 December to 10 January to avoid crowds. |
| What rules apply to major events? |
Large cultural events are not permitted. Celebrations in private premises or in public are not permitted, as contact restrictions must be observed. If possible, refrain from staying in closed rooms with a lot of public traffic. Decisions on when large events will be allowed again have yet to be made. However, events without so-called entertainment character may possibly be held, provided that no more than 100 people gather outside and no more than 50 inside. However, the usual distance and hygiene regulations must be observed. |
| What rules apply to local and long-distance transport? |
Wearing a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask) is mandatory in public transport. This is consistently checked by the regulatory authorities and sanctioned if necessary. It is recommended to refrain from unnecessary journeys by public transport. The so-called small border traffic, for example to Poland (up to 24-hour stay) is no longer exempt from the quarantine obligation. However, this does not apply in the case of valid reasons for crossing the border, e.g. for commuters or pupils and students visiting educational institutions in the neighbouring country. |
| What rules apply in hospitals and nursing homes? |
Residents of nursing homes are allowed to have visitors in Brandenburg again. |
| What are the rules for visiting places of worship? |
Worship services are permitted under special hygiene conditions. Minimum distance must be maintained and masks are required throughout. Congregational singing is prohibited. If space is limited, registration is requested. An event with more than 10 people must be registered at least 2 days in advance with the responsible public order office. This does not apply to religious and ideological communities that have submitted a hygiene concept. |
| What rules apply to children with cold symptoms? |
Children with symptoms of illness should always stay at home. For the symptoms typical for Covid, such as dry cough and fever, children must definitely stay at home. Doctors decide whether a Covid test should be carried out. |