The meeting today between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Germany’s 16 states was originally scheduled to discuss further relaxation, but a third wave of the virus driven by new variants has changed the agenda dramatically. — Reuters picBERLIN, March 22 — Germany is poised to prolong and tighten a partial lockdown into April as new virus cases soar, according to a draft document seen by AFP ahead of a government meeting today.
Lifting restrictions on dining, cultural and leisure facilities will now have to be delayed and instead, worst-hit areas may from today have to reimpose restrictions and order shops to close again. To prevent any contagion at the workplace, companies will be required to provide at least two rapid tests a week to employees who are unable to work from home, it said.
It lays the groundwork for the closure of some schools that have only just reopened, and urges people to avoid travelling over Easter.