Influential German science body calls for reopening of some schools

Halle, Germany (dpa) – The German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina, says the government could begin to safely reopen some primary and secondary schools while still observing hygiene rules to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

The influential academy recommended on Monday that restarting some schools would help normalize new hygiene regulations and help revive public life, but cautioned that new infections needed to remain at a manageable level.

The academy, based in the city of Halle, also said the government should require people to wear masks on public transport.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose government is weighing what steps to take next as the country looks to emerge from lockdown, had described Leopoldina’s findings as being “very important” to their decisions.

The academy also put forward other suggestions to gradually return life to normal, saying that shops, restaurants and government offices should be reopened, but that private and business travel and the vast majority of public events should be only incrementally reinstated.

Opposition lawmaker Michael Theurer of the pro-business FDP said the the recommendations should act as “a starting shot for the government to develop and implement a master plan for an incremental re-entry into a new normality.”

Research Minister Anja Karliczek welcomed the recommendations as “an excellent foundation,” but said that it would “be a long time until there are normal lessons taking place in schools.”

The majority of Germans are against lifting the restrictions on movement put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

In survey results from research institute YouGov on behalf of dpa, 44 per cent advocated for an extension of the measures beyond April 19, while 12 per cent are even in favour of tightening them.

Only 32 per cent are in favour of a relaxation and 8 per cent for an abolition of the restrictions, while 5 per cent did not give any details.

Merkel will on Wednesday discuss with state governments, who are responsible for enforcing the restrictions, how to proceed after April 19.

On March 22 the group had decided on comprehensive restrictions on freedom of movement, which were initially to last for two weeks but were later extended over Easter until April 19.

Sporting and cultural events with spectators had been banned before that and most shops had closed, with the exception of food stores and supermarkets.

Germans also reported a high compliance with the restrictions. Of those surveyed, 78 per cent said they comply with them in full, 18 per cent only partially and 2 per cent not at all.

This shows discipline has only slipped slightly compared to the beginning of the contact ban at the end of March.

At that time, 83 per cent said that they were fully complying with the measures, 12 per cent partially and 2 per cent said they ignored the restrictions.