Coronavirus lockdown in Germany has been extended until May, Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.
In a televised address to the nation, Ms Merkel said social distancing measures introduced to curb the spread of coronavirus will stay in place until at least May 4.
She said schools in the country will reopen in early May when some of the currently closed retailers will also be allowed to open.
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The government strongly recommends that people in Germany wear face masks while grocery shopping or in public transport.
Ms Merkel said people will be required to continue keeping a 1.5 meters from each other and gather in groups no larger than two, unless they were members of the same household. “We need to understand that we will need to live with the virus as long as there is no medication or vaccine,” Chancellor Merkel said.
This afternoon Chancellor Merkel and premiers of Germany’s 16 states held a video conference to agree on the new measures.
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The leaders agreed to let schools resume on 4 May, starting with the final classes, the classes that will take exams next year and the top primary school classes. Major events including soccer matches open to the public will continue to be prohibited until August 31, DPA reported.