Germany extends lockdown until mid-April as third wave hits

Germany has increased its lockdown times by another month and imposed several new limitations in an effort to curb a surge of coronavirus diseases made by new variants.

Tuesday, 23rd March 2021

Germany has increased its lockdown times by another month and imposed several new limitations in an effort to curb a surge of coronavirus diseases made by new variants. Shortly after a long video call with the country's 16 state governors, Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that restrictions previously set to run in Coronavirus infections have risen steadily in Germany as the more contagious variant first discovered in Britain has become dominant. "We basically have a new pandemic," Merkel told reporters in Berlin. Read more: Germany to lift all COVID-19 related bans by May 2021 "Essentially, we have a different virus, apparently of the same type but with completely different things," she added. "Significantly more dangerous, significantly more dangerous and dangerous for longer." At their last encounter three weeks ago, the two sides had agreed on a multi-step plan to relax constraints. Since then, several states have tried to avoid running back into tougher lockdowns when the weekly number of new infections tops 100 per 'Emergency brake.' "Unfortunately, we will have to make use of this pressure brake," she said. The hebdomadal infection rate per 100,000 people was at 107 nationwide on Monday, up from the mid-60s three weeks ago. Also read: COVID-19 variant: Germany to ban flights Officials agreed to largely shut down public life from April 1-3, adding a public holiday and closing down most stores for the period. Public gatherings will be banned from April 1-5 to help people to stay at home. Amid concern over the rise in Germans travelling abroad on holidays, authorities also agreed on a blanket requirement for air travellers to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Germany. Drawing up legally watertight rules has proved a headache at times. A court in Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, said Monday it struck down rules requiring people to get appointments to visit shops. It said they violated a condition that companies get equal treatment. The state government promptly followed the rules, developing them for some businesses — such as bookshops and field centres — that were earlier free. According to Tuesday's agreement, rights will aim to offer free tests to all pupils and teachers in German academies, many of which have only recently reopened after periods of remote teaching.