If the 7-day rate of infection (i.e. the number of new infections in the past seven days per 100,000 inhabitants) is above 100 – this is currently the case in one city in NRW –, the regulations of the so-called “nationwide emergency brake” continue to stay in effect. When there is a stable rate of infection in a district or independent city between 50.1 and 100, several restrictions may already be lifted. According to the revised Coronavirus Protection Ordinance, infection rates between 50.1 and 100 now correspond to what has been termed “Incidence Level 3.” Rates between 35.1 to 50 correspond to Incidence Level 2, and rates of 35 or lower define Incidence Level 1. These new levels apply at the level of districts or independent cities.
If in a district or independent city the upper limit of an incidence level is exceeded on three consecutive days, the next higher level will apply and the corresponding regulations take effect two days later. A district or independent city will be assigned to a lower incidence level it the infection rate falls below the lower limit on five consecutive workdays. The regulations of the lower level will take effect two days later.
At all three incidence levels, the easing of restrictions is combined with safety measures to protect from an undetected surge in infections. Individuals who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and those who have recovered from the virus, will be treated the same as individuals who have tested negative. For gatherings and events, there are limits defining how many individuals are allowed to meet. Those who are fully vaccinated, recovered, or negatively tested do not count towards this limit. However, they still have to comply with protective measures, such as the obligation to wear masks.
Further information in German is available at: Pressemitteilung des Landes NRW
RWTH Website
The RWTH website on How to Deal With the Coronavirus Crisis will now provide information on the current Incidence Level of the City of Aachen and of the Städteregion instead of publishing the 7-day rate of infection.