Table of Contents
Friday, March 20th, 2020: First curfews imposed
On Thursday, Freiburg im Breisgau (Baden-Württemberg) announced a curfew for larger groups. Public places should no longer be entered from Saturday to April 3rd. Curfews have also come into force in the city of Mitterteich and two municipalities in the neighboring district of Wunsiedel. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) made it clear that in the end the only thing left for him was the Bavaria-wide curfew, many people would not want to limit themselves voluntarily.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Ministers want to discuss curfews next Sunday. Most recently, on Wednesday, Merkel called on citizens in a television speech to avoid social contacts and to limit themselves to the bare essentials in everyday life.
Thursday: 03/19/2020
Since Monday (March 16th, 2020), the federal government has put public life on hold and numerous shops, schools, daycare centers, clubs and institutions have been closed. The government is appealing to all citizens to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading quickly and thus not overloading the health system. In many corners, however, there are already rumors that a curfew could be imposed like in other countries. But what does that actually mean and how would it affect everyday life?
What is a curfew?
In the current case, a curfew would be a political ban on entering public areas such as parks or streets and leaving the house without a good reason. A curfew is often limited in time and space.
Curfews have already been imposed in countries such as France, Spain and Belgium to relieve the burden on the health system and prevent the rapid spread of the corona virus .
What am I allowed and not allowed to do during a curfew?
A curfew would prohibit:
- Leaving the house or apartment without a valid reason
- enter public squares, streets and parks
- attend meetings
- Team sports and meetings in groups
- shopping
- Visits to the doctor, gas stations and banks
- trips to work
- outdoor sports, e.g. B. jogging if you are alone
- To walk the dog
- family reunions
- care for those in need
What speaks for and against a curfew?
The “right to freedom of movement”, which is enshrined in Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law, speaks against a curfew. This says:
1) All Germans enjoy freedom of movement throughout Germany.
2) This right may only be restricted by law or on the basis of a law and only in cases in which an adequate basis of life is not available and the general public would incur special burdens as a result or in which it is necessary to avert an imminent danger to the existence or the free democratic basic order of the Federation or a Land, to combat the risk of epidemics, natural disasters or particularly serious accidents, to protect young people from neglect or to prevent criminal acts.
The right should only be restricted in certain cases. The curfew would mean a massive encroachment on personal rights. However, it is difficult to answer whether that would be justified in the current coronavirus case.
