The 2nd COVID-19-Emergency-Measures-Regulation, which became in force on 26 December 2020, provided for new restrictive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the form of another „hard Lockdown“. The 2nd COVID-19-Emergency-Measures-Regulation has now been extended again until January 24, 2021.

The essential points of the 2nd COVID-19-Emergency-Measures-Regulation are:

• Leaving the own private living area is only allowed in exceptional cases. Such exceptions are e.g. a job-related reason, physical and mental recreation outdoors or taking care of pets (e.g. walking the dog). Shopping and meeting the closest relatives (parents, children and siblings) and a spouse are also allowed. The curfew restrictions apply at all times.
• In outdoor public places, a distance of one meter must be kept from all persons not living in their own household. For meetings in closed rooms, an additional mouth and nose protection (mask) must be worn.
• Certain shops may stay open, e.g. grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores, tabacco shops and postal service providers. All other shops as well as service providers for body-related services (e.g. hairdressers) will be closed. The minimum distance of one meter and the obligation to wear masks applies. Each customer must have 10 m² space available, otherwise the customer area may only be entered individually.
• A minimum distance of one meter must be maintained at the workplace. If more than one person is working in an enclosed space at the same time and there is no protective device (e.g. partition wall), a mouth and nose protection must be worn.
• Hospitality establishments may offer food for collection between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Otherwise, hospitality establishments must be closed. This does not apply to hospitality establishments in certain facilities (e.g. canteens in hospitals, schools) for internal use.
• Accommodation facilities (including hotels) may only be used in exceptional cases, e.g. for job-related purposes or by guests who are already in the accommodation for the agreed duration. In generally accessible areas, a minimum distance of one meter must be maintained and a mask must be worn.
• Leisure facilities, such as such as indoor swimming pools, indoor playgrounds, cinemas or theaters, remain closed. Zoos, animal parks, botanical gardens and museums will be closed again. 
• Ski lifts and cable cars are allowed to stay open. Certain capacity limits must be considered (for example, gondolas may carry no more than half the maximum number of passengers). In gondolas and in closed ski lifts a FFP2-mask has to be worn.
• Events stay prohibited regardless of the number of participants. In particular, planned meetings and undertakings for entertainment, amusement, physical and mental training and edification are considered events. This includes in any case cultural events, sports events, wedding celebrations, birthday parties or exhibitions. Funerals with a maximum of 50 persons are excluded.
• Some events may continue to be held, e.g. sporting events in professional sports (without spectators), assemblies or meetings of statutory bodies of legal entities that cannot be postponed. Also excluded are professional meetings, if these are necessary for the maintenance of the professional activity, as well as meetings for absolut necessary professional education and training purposes if those meetings can’t be held in a digital form.