Coronavirus: Germany to enter new lockdown, Angela Merkel announces
Most stores, schools and daycare centers are expected to shut starting Wednesday
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
German chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed new lockdown restrictions to combat a rise in coronavirus cases across the country.
In a news conference on Sunday following a meeting of federal and state leaders, Ms Merkel said most stores would be ordered to shut starting on Wednesday, along with schools and daycare centers.
The new restrictions are expected to remain in effect until at least 10 January as the country grapples with a second wave of the pandemic.
German states are still expected to ease Covid-19 restrictions during the holiday period from 24 to 26 December in order to allow family members to gather.
Under those rules, immediate family members from up to a maximum of two households can meet in groups of up to five people plus children under fifteen.
Read more: Angela Merkel calls for creation of European health union amid pandemic
Under the restrictions, schools are being asked to send students home as soon as possible and continue lessons online, with the Christmas holidays also expected to be extended until 10 January.
Meanwhile, parents will be allowed to take paid holidays in order to look after their children as daycares close.
Anyone who can work from home is being encouraged to do so.
The restrictions block residents across states from being allowed to drink alcohol out in public.
Religious events will still be allowed to take place. However, they must comply with coronavirus safety measures, including a policy barring communal singing.
The announcement comes as Germany recorded another 20,200 new Covid-19 cases within a 24-hour period, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
As of Sunday, Germany had recorded at least 1,320,716 cases in total, according to RKI data.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments