Covid-19: lockdown extend until February 14 in Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of the nation’s 16 states on Tuesday decided to extend the lockdown till February 14, earlier it was set to expire by the end of January,

Most retailers, schools, and non-essential businesses, such as gyms and sports activities facilities, will stay closed. The new measures include stricter guidelines on the types of masks that should be worn in sure public locations, and a higher onus on employers to allow working from house.

Though new infections have been reducing in current days and the pressure on intensive care units has eased barely, virologists are nervous that more infectious variants, such as the ones identified in the UK and South Africa may spread within the EU nation.

“Now’s the time to take preventive measures against the specter of this virus,” Merkel informed reporters

  1.  Individuals in retailers and on public transport shall be required to put on filter masks like FFP2 respirators, which also defend the wearer.

    2.  Employers should, wherever possible, permit workers to do business from home till March 15.

    3.  All nonessential retailers and services stay closed. 

    4.  Daycare centers are closed, however, parents can take paid holidays with the purpose to take care of their youngsters

    5.  Persons are not allowed to drink alcohol in public.

    6.  Spiritual occasions in churches, synagogues, and mosques could happen in the event that they observe hygiene guidelines, however, communal singing just isn’t allowed.

    7.  Contact at private meetings is restricted to only one different individual not leaving in the same family.

    8.  Colleges are largely closed and college students are taught through distance learning.

In the meantime, Chancellor Merkel urged EU nations to coordinate with a purpose to cease the spread of the latest mutations of the coronavirus, warning that border checks could be put in otherwise.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose by 11,369 to 2.05 million in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases reported on Tuesday. The number of deaths was up to 989 at 47,622 throughout the nation.