The Central Horticultural Association (Zentralverbandes Gartenbau e. V., ZVG) is pleased with the decision of Chancellor Angela Merkel to backtrack the Easter lockdown. On March 23, Merkel announced that Germans were urged to stay home from April 1-5 to curb the exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in the country. However, on Wednesday, the plan was scrapped after widespread criticism. "It was a mistake," she said, adding that it was made with the best of intentions.
Jürgen Mertz, President of ZVG is satisfied with the decision, he states in an announcement. "From our point of view, many questions about labor law have not been clarified yet. Plants have to be looked after and cared for, we are about to enter the main season in many areas and important cultivation work has to be carried out to preserve the goods.
At the same time, there was a threat of spoilage and disposal of plants and fruits on a large scale, he explains. "Maundy Thursday is one of the busiest days of the year for several local crops. Accordingly, production has been ongoing for weeks towards this day. Additional expenses would have arisen due to the changed ordering behavior of the trade."
For
more information:
Zentralverbandes Gartenbau e. V.,
https://www.g-net.de/