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Friday, 29 March 2024

Merkel: We can be a bit bold but must be careful on easing lockdown

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Merkel: We can be a bit bold but must be careful on easing lockdown
Merkel: We can be a bit bold but must be careful on easing lockdown

Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced steps to ease the coronavirus lockdown, saying the first phase of the pandemic had passed but there was still a long way to go.

Germany went into lockdown in March to slow the spread of the virus.

Its reproduction rate has been falling for several days, and Merkel said it was now consistently below 1 - meaning a person with the virus infects fewer than one other on average.

Speaking on Wednesday (May 6), Merkel told reporters: "We are at a point where our goal of slowing the spread of the virus has been achieved and we have been able to protect our health system." Under measures agreed with Germany's 16 federal state leaders, people from two households will be allowed to meet, and more shops will open, provided hygiene measures are in place.

But guidelines on keeping a distance of 1.5 meters and wearing mouth and nose masks on public transport will remain.

Germany's Bundesliga soccer league can resume in the second half of May, Merkel said.

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