Germany Imposes Strict Lockdown Over Easter

German federal and state leaders have agreed on a radical decision to shutdown over the Easter holidays where in a statement Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that they are in a new pandemic and the decision is based on the new coronavirus variants that are evident in the country.

The country is extending the current lockdown through to April 18 a case where they will experience a stricter lockdown from April 1 to April 5 over the Easter holiday period when shops, including grocery stores, will largely be closed.

Merkel warned the country that they really need to break the exponential growth of the third wave since corona cases have reached levels the authorities say will burden the Intensive Care Units. This announcement is seen as a reversal as it comes at a time when state leaders had agreed earlier this month to begin a cautious reopening process.

The new measures imposed are: Prolonging of the closure of cultural, leisure, and sporting facilities and that churches will be required to hold services marking the Christian festival online where not more than five adults from two households will be able to meet. Public gatherings will be prohibited and almost all shops will be shut during the five days period.