Sunday, March 21, 10:42 a.m.: More than half of all states and independent cities in Bavaria are now considered hotspots. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported on Sunday for 50 of them an incidence value of more than 100. If this continues, which is to be assumed in view of the rising infection figures throughout Bavaria, they will soon have to return to the lockdown, as it had applied throughout Bavaria until the beginning of March. This means that stores and museums will have to close again, and a curfew will then apply between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. at night.

According to the RKI, the incidence rate across Bavaria is now 107.7, compared with 103.6 on Saturday, when the number of hotspots was also 45. In total, there are 96 districts and independent cities in Bavaria. Of them, eight currently have an incidence of less than 50 within the past seven days, converted to 100,000 inhabitants. The figure has also risen sharply in Munich - to 83.9.

Holetschek appeals for understanding for Corona measures
In view of the rising Corona infection figures, Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek calls for contacts to be limited to the bare minimum. "We need continued patience to contain Corona. This includes keeping the distance and mask rules," the CSU politician stressed to Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Sunday.

"It was right to decide that there will be no further opening steps in Bavaria tomorrow, Monday. Because the protection against further infections must have priority," explained Holetschek, who is currently also the chairman of the Conference of Health Ministers.

Further openings were planned in Bavaria for next week, but because of the high infection figures, beer gardens, cinemas and theaters must remain closed throughout Bavaria, the Ministry of Health had announced on Thursday. On Monday, the state premiers and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) will meet to discuss further steps in the fight against the pandemic and the regulations for Easter.

Image by Angelo Esslinger