Coronavirus: Battle breaks out as beach visits allowed in northern Germany
A court has overturned a state government ban on visiting the beach in the northeastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The state government indicated it will not fight the court’s ruling, however State Premier Manuela Schwesig joined other political representatives in urging residents to stay home to continue the state’s battle against the coronavirus.
A court in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ruled that despite the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak, restrictions on beach visits violated personal freedoms and therefore could not be allowed.
Although the ruling only applies to the small northeastern state, there are concerns that similar challenges could be launched against coronavirus lockdown restrictions across the country.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania residents only
While residents of the state were allowed to visit the beaches and islands of the north coast due to the ruling, the ban remains in place for residents of other German states or international tourists.
With 600 confirmed cases, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the second-fewest infections of any German state, however the coast can be accessed in under two hours from the comparatively heavily affected cities of Hamburg and Berlin.
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The state government indicated it will not fight the court’s ruling, however State Premier Manuela Schwesig joined other political representatives in urging residents to stay home to continue the state’s battle against the coronavirus.
A court in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ruled that despite the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak, restrictions on beach visits violated personal freedoms and therefore could not be allowed.
Although the ruling only applies to the small northeastern state, there are concerns that similar challenges could be launched against coronavirus lockdown restrictions across the country.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania residents only
While residents of the state were allowed to visit the beaches and islands of the north coast due to the ruling, the ban remains in place for residents of other German states or international tourists.
With 600 confirmed cases, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the second-fewest infections of any German state, however the coast can be accessed in under two hours from the comparatively heavily affected cities of Hamburg and Berlin.
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