Germany extends lockdown till March 28 but will ease restrictions
Germany plans to extend its coronavirus lockdown until March 28 but some restrictions will be eased starting from March 8, Focus Online reported, citing a draft agreement for talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and leader of the 16 federal states.
As more aggressive variants spread, the measure of new infections has been inching back up, moving the country further from targets Chancellor Merkel has set for loosening curbs. Her coronavirus cabinet, which includes Scholz, met on Monday to prepare for a critical meeting with state leaders on Wednesday.
Merkel and the state premiers are working on a draft agreement to allow shops to reopen in areas where the number of infections is considered reasonably low. Coronavirus cases would have to fall to a seven-day average of 35 per 100,000 people. Some outlets, such as florists, book and gardening shops would be able to re-open even if rates are higher.
With Easter approaching, the drafted agreement will also include restrictions for domestic travel, wherein limited visitors will only be allowed during festive days.
