Actually, with the new Infection Protection Act that came into force on Sunday (March 20th, 2022), the Bundestag has lifted almost all of the measures restricting sport. However, normal sport is not possible again directly in all federal states.
What currently applies?
Ten out of 16 federal states have made use of a transitional regulation in the new law. The federal states are allowed to extend the old rules until April 2nd. These are different in each case and are laid down in the state protection ordinances – they usually include a mask requirement indoors or access regulations to sports facilities.
Six federal states, on the other hand, have lifted all corona measures in sport with the new law with immediate effect: Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein. There, everyone can again do sports in clubs or in fitness studios without hindrance.
What happens after April 2nd?
From this day on, all Corona rules will no longer apply, with the exception of absolute basic protective measures such as the obligation to wear masks in local public transport. Sport is possible in all 16 federal states without any restrictions.
However, regional uncertainties remain due to a hotspot regulation: If there is a local corona outbreak, stricter measures can be decided there. “It is also conceivable that an entire federal state is declared as a hotspot“said Berlin’s governing mayor, Franziska Giffey.
Are the measures abolished forever?
In short: No, they can be rearranged. “The Bundestag can decide to tighten the law at any time“, explained Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In addition, the new, looser law is limited until September 23. Then the situation should be reassessed and a decision made as to whether Germany needs stricter restrictions again for the coming autumn and winter.