Due to continuing high numbers of corona virus cases and mutated virus cases, members of the federal-state conference made the decision on 19 January again to prolong the hard lockdown that has been in effect in Germany since mid-December. Businesses that do not cover daily necessities - including the brick-and-mortar furniture retail trade - must therefore remain closed until 14 February.
What is more, medical masks such as surgical masks or FFP2 masks must be worn in the retail trade and on public transport within the territory of Germany in future. In Bavaria, FFP2 masks have been obligatory in shops and the public transport network since 18 January.
Closure of the non-essential retail trade was introduced in Germany on 16 December and was initially planned to extend until 11 January. Therefore, on 5 January the lockdown was prolonged for a further three weeks until 31 January. While Click & Collect had totally been prohibited throughout three federal states, the ban was removed in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria on 11 January. Click & Collect is still forbidden only in Saxony. Some furniture traders offer Click & Collect, such as Ikea, XXXLutz Group, Porta group, Hans Segmüller, Höffner. Dänisches Bettenlager, Poco and Roller. Also, orders can be placed at the local branch by phone and then collected.
The brick-and-mortar furniture trade in different other European countries is also currently remain closed, in some cases until February. In Austria, for instance, the lockdown which has been in effect since 28 December and was imposed to last until 24 January has meanwhile been prolonged for two weeks. As for now, the first easing of the lockdown - and thus the reopening of the non-essential retail trade - could take place on 8 February at the earliest.
Information provided according to www.euwid-wood-products.com
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