About the current situation in Germany and Austria:

Germany and Austria are in a lockdown at the moment. The restrictions are less strict as they are in other European countries (like Italy, Spain and France). The figures are clearly improving. Germany now reached the point at which the number of new cases is way below its peak two weeks ago.

Germany and Austria are now starting to relax some of the restrictions. For example, in Germany DIY stores, bicycle shops as well as all small shops will open next week. And schools reopen for their graduation classes from early May. However, restaurants will be rather at the end of that process. No information about hotels for tourists yet.
Further steps will be taken by the government and reviewed every two weeks, with the option to even go back a step if needed. We think the next four weeks will show where this process may lead to and if a mostly restriction-free way of life is thinkable for the foreseeable future.

What’s the big plan?
We believe that the government is not only trying to reduce the number of new cases, but also reducing it to a very low level. A level at which authorities will be able to trace back any new infection. Germany was in fact in such a position in the very beginning, in February. Countries like South Korea do exactly that. It is essentially a strategy change from ‘flatten the curve’ to ‘trace the trail’. Social distancing measures to ‘flatten the curve’ worked very well but will be no solution for the time until significant enhancements in the medical world are made and widely (globally!) available.
We hope at least that this is the approach of our government. We have not seen any open discussion about it yet. One reason might simply be the missing prerequisites, like a tracing app and a supply of face masks.

An outlook for summer 2020:
If someone asked us how the coming months may look like, picture following:

• Widespread sanitary provisions, for example obligations to wear face masks in shopping areas and public transport, hand sanitizer facilities at stores and workshops.
• Gatherings remain banned: Any activities with a number of people in a limited space will remain prohibited.
• Tracing apps on smartphones will play an essential role. The question remains whether their use is voluntary or obligatory and how apps from European countries can be integrated.
• High risk groups (homes for the elderly but also hospitals and day care services) will be subject to more rigorous restrictions and measures, for example regular testing and continued visiting bans.

[Annex: We put together this list about a week ago. Today we see it becoming reality. For example, two of the 16 German states impose face mask requirements next Monday.]

About traveling Germany:
Entering Germany as a tourist is unimaginable right now. Some of the land borders are open only for commercial vehicles and commuters. This will certainly change as neighbouring countries keep on curtailing the outbreak successfully. However, we see quarantine policies for people entering Germany for some time ahead (and later depending on the country of departure). Alternative measures might be a compulsory use of tracking apps and obligatory tests at the time of entry.

So what?
There are silver linings. Test capacity is further ramping up. Treatments, for example with repurposed drugs and blood plasma infusion, will make infections more tolerable. A thoughtful lifestyle will slow the virus down to a manageable level. After all, we hope all this will change for good sooner than later. We remain positive, hope that tours will run again this season and simply try to make the best out of this situation.

To all our previous (and future) guests: Our offer remains. Don’t hesitate to call in and have a chat with us over a cup of tea. We will be happy to hear about the new tidiness of your garden and your perfectly paired socks.