Lockdown of Göttingen apartment block inadmissible due to corona
The lockdown of a block of flats in Göttingen due to a coronavirus outbreak in June 2020 was unlawful. This was decided by the Göttingen Administrative Court on Thursday after residents of the building filed a lawsuit, according to a court spokesperson on Friday. An appeal can still be lodged against the ruling.
"There are no immediate consequences as a result of the ruling," said the spokesperson. For similar cases in the future, however, there is now clarity about what is permitted. The ruling could also provide a basis for possible claims for damages.
The lawsuit was not directed against the fact that the residents of the house had to isolate themselves for seven days due to the infection, explained the plaintiffs' lawyer, Sven Adam, on Thursday. The reason was the fencing off for several days and the police surveillance of the residential complex. According to the court, neither had a legal basis.
"The order initially contained neither exceptions nor the possibility of leaving the complex by proving negative corona tests," said lawyer Adam. The infection procedure only provides for such drastic measures if people resist a request to isolate themselves. However, this also requires a court order.
The decision now sets limits in terms of the protection of fundamental rights and has fundamental significance for the future handling of building complexes in pandemic situations, said Adam.
- The ruling against the unlawful lockdown might influence future legal processes related to containing diseases like Covid-19 within apartment buildings.
- The court's decision highlights that health policies, such as lockdowns during pandemics like Corona, must adhere to the laws governing fundamental rights.
- Understanding the laws surrounding disease containment processes, as demonstrated in the Corona case, can aid in preventing unjustified restrictions on residents' health and freedom, including during outbreaks of diseases like Covid-19.
Source: www.dpa.com
