Early Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke after a lengthy video conversation with the country’s 16 governors that the restrictions that previously ran until March 28 will now remain in effect until April 18.
Coronavirus infections have steadily increased in Germany as the more contagious variant first discovered in Britain has become dominant and the daily number of cases per capita has passed that of the United States.
“We actually have a new pandemic,” Merkel told reporters in Berlin.
“Basically we have a new virus, of course of the same type but with completely different characteristics,” she added. “Significantly more deadly, significantly more contagious (and) contagious for longer.”
Since their last meeting three weeks ago, where the two sides agreed on a multi-step plan to ease restrictions, several states have tried to avoid getting back into tougher lockdowns when the weekly rate of new infections exceeds 100 per 100,000 residents on three consecutive days.
Merkel made it clear she wouldn’t accept that.
“Unfortunately, we will have to take advantage of this emergency brake,” she said.
The weekly infection rate per 100,000 people across the country was 107 Monday, up from the mid-1960s three weeks ago.
Officials agreed to largely close public life from April 1-3, add a holiday and close most stores for that period. Public gatherings will be banned from April 1-5 to encourage people to stay at home.
Out of concern at the increase in Germans traveling abroad on vacation, authorities have also agreed on a general requirement that air travelers should be tested for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Germany.
Drawing up legally watertight rules has sometimes proven to be a headache. A court in Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, said on Monday it has issued rules requiring people to make appointments to visit stores. It said they violated a requirement that companies receive equal treatment.
The state government promptly restored and tightened the rules for some businesses – such as bookstores and garden centers – that were previously exempt.
Under Tuesday’s agreement, authorities will aim to offer free tests to all students and teachers in German schools, many of which have only recently reopened after months of distance teaching.
Merkel said Germany, which had relatively few deaths during the first phase of the pandemic last spring, has “seen successes as well as setbacks” and insisted that the situation would improve as more people are vaccinated.
The vaccination campaign in Germany has so far fallen short of expectations: only about 9% of the population received at least a first injection and 4% received both doses by Sunday.
“It’s been difficult for longer than we thought,” Merkel said. “But there is certainly light visible at the end of the tunnel.”
When asked about the EU’s plans to restrict exports of vaccines and components, Merkel said she supported efforts by the bloc’s executive committee to ensure contracts are honored, citing the EU’s delivery problems. done with the AstraZeneca shot.
Britain, which left the EU last year, has vehemently protested the plans, fearing it could be cut off from supplies.
Merkel said she and French President Emmanuel Macron had each discussed the matter with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the past few days and that EU leaders would strive to reach a decision “responsibly” at a virtual summit. Thursday.
AP journalist Geir Moulson contributed to this report.
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