German states in favour of extending COVID-19 lockdown till December 20

Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, which implemented a month-long ‘lockdown-lite’ from November 2, under the conservative-Social Democratic coalition may extend the lockdown till December 20, as coronavirus cases in the country continue to rise.

State premiers will meet with Chancellor Merkel to discuss the issue on Wednesday, reported Reuters. The lockdown extension could go up to December 20, reported Reuters quoting the draft proposals from the Social and Christian Democratic party.

Social Democratic party member, Manuela Schwesig, also the premier of the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said, “The November shutdown has brought something, the (infection) numbers are subdued but they remain high,” as per Reuters report.

Schwesig, the minister-president of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, added, “For this reason, many states believe that the November shutdown must continue, especially in the risk areas.”

Similar sentiments were reiterated by Reiner Haseloff, the state premier of Saxony-Anhalt, who is also a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party. Haseloff told a news conference that there was mutual agreement on extending current restrictions for about three weeks.

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According to the November lockdown restrictions already in place, bars and restaurants remain closed while schools and shops have been allowed to operate. Private gatherings too have been limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households.

Since the inception of the pandemic, Germany has recorded 934,698 cases while 14,364 people have died from the pandemic that originated from the wet markets of Wuhan, China.

The country currently has 301,534 active cases and the country is mulling over extending its financial support for business into December, reported Reuters quoting Economy Minister Peter Altmaier.

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Preparations for providing COVID-19 vaccinations in Europe’s biggest economy are also in full swing, and will be completed by mid-December, and inoculations can begin if vaccines are available before the end of the year, reported Reuters, quoting Health Minister Jens Spahn.