German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the country is “once again seeing a rapid increase in new infections”
German authorities are imposing strict quarantine from 16 December to 10 January in order to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. This was announced by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference in Berlin on Sunday following a meeting with federal state prime ministers.
“The measures we have taken since 2 November are not enough”, – she stressed. Merkel pointed out that Germany was again seeing a rapid increase in the number of new infections. – “We are forced to act and are doing so now”, – she added.
The chancellor said the federal and state authorities had agreed to close retail outlets except for food and some other shops, to ban the consumption of alcohol in public places and the sale of pyrotechnics. A nationwide ban on gatherings has been imposed for the New Year holidays. Schools and kindergartens will be closed as much as possible, except on special occasions. Online learning opportunities will be expanded.