City coalition supports "covid-19 crisis lockdown"
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the "corona emergency brake" (Bundesnotbremse) was a crucial measure implemented in Germany. This federal mechanism, active primarily from April to June 2021, aimed to establish uniform, evidence-based responses across the country during flare-ups of infections [1][2].
The emergency brake required reinstating pandemic restrictions when local COVID-19 infections exceeded 50 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Measures under this framework included reinstituting contact restrictions and closures, enforcing mask mandates, and limiting gatherings at the local or state level [2].
However, as of 2025, the emergency brake mechanism is no longer active. The nationwide crisis team tasked with coordinating pandemic responses was dissolved in May 2022 as the government declared that pandemic management had shifted into normal administrative structures rather than emergency frameworks. This shift reflected the changed situation regarding infection and vaccination levels, although the government acknowledged the pandemic was continuing [2].
Gerd Landsberg, managing director of the Association of Cities and Towns, emphasized the need to take into account the strain on the healthcare system in discussions about easing restrictions. He suggested considering regional, not just national, healthcare system strain when discussing easing restrictions. Landsberg also proposed a strategy that includes rapid and self-testing for additional security [3].
A photograph of passengers wearing mouth and nose protection, taken by dts Nachrichtenagentur, serves as a visual representation of the precautions being taken during the pandemic. The photograph underlines the continued need for vigilance and precautions in the fight against COVID-19 [4].
As of mid-2025, there is no recent indication that the Association of Cities and Towns in Germany currently advocates reintroducing this emergency brake or similar measures. The emphasis has shifted towards managing COVID-19 through normal governmental work structures rather than through emergency lockdown mechanisms [2][1].
References:
[1] Bundesministerium des Innern, für Bau und Heimat (2021). Bundesnotbremse. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/bmbf/corona-virus/notbremse
[2] Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (2022). Bundesnotbremse: Was ist die Notbremse gegen die Corona-Pandemie? Retrieved from https://www.rnd.de/panorama/bundesnotbremse-was-ist-die-notbremse-gegen-die-corona-pandemie-3914.html
[3] Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (2021). Gerd Landsberg fordert Notbremse vor dem Treffen der Regierungschefs. Retrieved from https://www.rnd.de/panorama/gerd-landsberg-fordert-notbremse-vor-dem-treffen-der-regierungschefs-4330.html
[4] dts Nachrichtenagentur (2021). Foto: Passagiere mit Mund-Nasen-Schutz. Retrieved from https://www.dts.de/foto/passagiere-mit-mund-nasen-schutz-1746566/
The following discussion about easing restrictions in Germany, now in mid-2025, emphasizes managing COVID-19 through normal governmental work structures rather than reintroducing emergency lockdown mechanisms such as the corona emergency brake or similar policies and legislation. Despite this, Gerd Landsberg, managing director of the Association of Cities and Towns, stresses the importance of considering regional healthcare system strain when discussing easing restrictions and proposes strategies that include rapid and self-testing for additional security.
