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Covid-19: Merkel calls for new restrictions in the face of rising cases

 

Angela Merkel called on Wednesday December 9 for new restrictions until mid-January across Germany, where existing measures are proving insufficient to bring the number of Covid-19 cases under control. “The number of contacts” between people “is too high, the reduction in the number of contacts is insufficient”, declared the Chancellor in front of the Chamber of Deputies.

She considered “justified” the proposals of a group of experts aiming to close at the latest between Christmas and mid-January all non-food stores and schools in particular. And the Chancellor urged to reduce “to a minimum” contact between now and the holidays, evoking the possibility of bringing forward the start of the school holidays. “We must do everything possible” to avoid an “exponential increase” in the number of cases, insisted Angela Merkel. Germany has recorded a record number of Covid-19-related deaths in the past 24 hours, at 590.

More new cases daily than in France

While he was praised for his management of the pandemic during the first wave in the spring, the country is in difficulty facing the second wave. The rapid rise in the number of cases was halted by the closures of the gastronomy, culture and sport sectors in early November, but the number of new daily infections has stagnated at a high level. Germany reports around 20,000 new cases of daily infections, more than in France in particular. And the number of patients in intensive care is considered worrying by the authorities.

The federal government and regional leaders must meet before Christmas to discuss possible measures to deal with the spread of the pandemic. Several particularly affected regions, such as Bavaria and Saxony, have already taken the lead. Others are more reluctant to tighten the current system of restrictions, less strict than in other European countries such as France.

Despite the restrictions for gatherings of 5 people, the mulled wine stands, a German tradition for the end of the year holiday period, are multiplying in the country and attracting large crowds outside. They have become a vector for the spread of the virus according to the authorities.

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