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A Germany or close to shops and schools between December 16 and January 10 to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Sunday (13). Only essential services, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and banks, can operate during this period.
Companies are oriented to lay off employees or prioritize remote work. The german government too prohibited the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places to avoid crowds.
“There is an urgent need to do something,” Merkel said at a meeting with the governors of the 16 German states.
Pedestrians wearing a Covid protective mask pass a shoe store in Berlin, Germany, on December 11 – Photo: Odd Andersen / AFP
The country is in partial “lock” Six weeks ago, with bars and restaurants closed, but shops and schools remained open. I like it increased infections, some regions of Germany had already imposed stricter restrictive measures.
Government will support the affected companies with an investment of 11,000 million euros (around R $ 67.5 billion) per month. Companies that are forced to close can receive the equivalent of 90% of their fixed costs, with the limit of 500 thousand euros (around R $ 3 million) per month.
Meetings and private gatherings remain limited in the country, which limits to five people (of a maximum of two family groups). For the Christmas holidays, the government promises to relax the rule so that families can celebrate together.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a session in the Berlin Parliament in a photo on December 9, 2020 – Photo: Hannibal Hanschke / Reuters
Restrictions before Christmas
Concern for second wave of cases grows as Christmas approaches. The daily number of new registrations and deaths reached, in the last week, the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic in the first half of this year.
Only in the last 24 hours 381 deaths, bringing the total to 21,787, according to the German Health Ministry. There were still 20,200 new infections, which already adds more than 1.3 million confirmed cases of the disease.
the traditional Christmas markets of the country, with food and drink stalls, are indicated as points of concern in the control of the pandemic in the country. This is because it is more difficult to respect social distancing measures.
Hundreds of people gather to participate in the opening of the traditional Christmas market on the Roemerberg Square in Frankfurt, Germany, in a photo from December 2014 – Photo: Michael Probst / AP / Archive
On Wednesday (9), Merkel asked, in an emotional speech, that Parliament approve more restrictions in Germany for the first half of 2021.
“I’m so sorry, but if that [menos restrições] it means paying a daily price of 590 deaths, from my point of view, it is unacceptable, “said Merkel.
Angela Merkel is delighted to call for new restrictions to contain the pandemic in Germany