Germany extends lockdown to mid-February | NOW

Germany is extending the lockdown in the country until February 14, the authorities decided on Tuesday. This means, among other things, that schools and many shops will remain closed for two weeks longer.

Chancellor Angela Merkel says efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus are threatened by the British mutation of the virus. This one is more contagious than other variants.

Merkel and the leaders of the states have therefore chosen to extend the lockdown. They have also decided that the wearing of medical masks in public transport and shops will be mandatory. Now people are also allowed to cover their nose and mouth with a scarf or a self-made mouth mask.

Employers are urged to let their staff work from home until mid-March if possible. Merkel emphasizes that this leads to people having fewer contacts. According to the chancellor, fewer people now work at home than during the first wave in spring 2020.

Germany has slightly more than two million confirmed corona virus infections. On Tuesday morning, 11,369 new cases were registered. 47,622 people in the country have died from COVID-19.

– .