| What are the rules for day care centres? |
Kitas remain open in limited pandemic operation. Groups will be reduced in size and the amount of childcare will be reduced by 10 hours per child. Parents are asked to care for their children at home if possible. Please contact your childcare facility for more information. You may not have to pay daycare fees for January. For working parents who have to look after their children (under 12 years of age) at home due to the Kita and school closures, there is the so-called children's sick pay. For children with disabilities, the age restriction does not apply. Currently (according to the federal cabinet decision) 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? |
Primary school pupils are in alternating classes. Further information: https://www.schulministerium.nrw/themen/schulsystem/regelungen-fuer-schulen-ab-dem-22-februar-2021 For working parents who have to look after their children (under 12 years of age) at home due to daycare and school closures, there is the so-called children's sick pay. For children with disabilities, the age restriction does not apply. Currently (according to the federal cabinet decision) 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 secondary schools? |
Schools are in alternate years. Further information: https://www.schulministerium.nrw/themen/schulsystem/regelungen-fuer-schulen-ab-dem-22-februar-2021 |
| What rules apply to educational institutions? |
Please contact the respective educational institutions for more information. |
| What rules apply to universities & universities of applied sciences? |
Seminars and lectures of the universities and colleges will be held predominantly in digital form in the summer semester 2021. For more information on face-to-face seminars and digital lectures, please contact your university/college. |
| What are the rules for visiting the doctor? |
Preventive medical checkups should continue to be carried out. In case of acute symptoms of respiratory diseases (such as rhinitis, cough, sore throat, runny nose, etc.) it is strongly recommended to stay at home. Sick leave is sometimes possible online, contact your family doctor by phone. |
| What rules apply in contact with people? |
One's own household may meet with another household, up to a limit of 5 persons. Children up to 14 years of age are exempt from this limit. Contact arrangements are dependent on current incidences. For more information, visit: https://www.land.nrw/de/wichtige-fragen-und-antworten-zum-corona-virus#da9fc8e6 |
| What rules apply to sporting activities? |
Individual sports are allowed alone, in pairs or with their own household. A maximum of 5 people from two households are allowed to meet for outdoor sports at an incidence of 50 to 100. Children are allowed to meet for sports in a maximum group size of 20. If the incidence is less than 50, up to 10 people may meet for non-contact outdoor sports. Contact arrangements are dependent on current incidences. For more information, visit: https://www.land.nrw/de/wichtige-fragen-und-antworten-zum-corona-virus#da9fc8e6 |
| What rules apply to cultural events? |
Playgrounds are open, hygiene and distance rules must be observed. From 8 March at an incidence of 50 to 100, museums, galleries, botanical gardens and zoos with appointment bookings may open to visitors. At an incidence of 100, cultural and recreational facilities are closed. |
| What rules apply to hotel and restaurant visits? |
Restaurants and cafes must remain closed, pick up food and eat at home is allowed. |
| 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, people should 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. Further information: Contact regimes are dependent on current incidences. Further information at: https://www.land.nrw/de/wichtige-fragen-und-antworten-zum-corona-virus#da9fc8e6 |
| 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. |
| What rules apply in hospitals and nursing homes? |
People in need of care and sick people are particularly at risk in the pandemic. Special protective measures are being taken for homes for the elderly. An FFP2 mask must be worn when coming into contact with residents in a retirement and nursing home and in facilities for people with disabilities. Mandatory testing of staff is carried out several times a week. Visits are permitted to protect vulnerable groups, but these should be limited to one permanent person if possible and a negative coronal test may be required. Please check with the relevant facilities before planning a visit. |
| 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 a cold and without further symptoms should be observed at home for 24 hours, the school must be notified. If the symptoms improve and there are no additional symptoms, the child can go back to school. If there is no improvement and there are additional symptoms, the school and the doctor should be contacted. |