As planned, the Senate decided to extend the previously valid Corona measures until 31 March. From 1 April, there will then only be a few so-called basic protective measures. These include the obligation to wear masks in public transport as well as in hospitals and nursing homes. For certain areas, compulsory testing will also continue, for example at schools.

Originally, the federal and state governments had agreed in principle that all more far-reaching restrictions would cease to apply on 20 March, i.e. on Sunday. However, Berlin, like other federal states, is now making use of a transitional period granted in the federal Infection Protection Act.

The governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) had already announced this after the senate meeting last Tuesday and justified it with the Corona situation. The infection figures have been rising again nationwide for some time, and the trend has also been going up again in Berlin for a few days.