German Chancellor Angela Merkel has appealed to people living in German and leaders to do their best to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“We must reduce the number of contacts where infection rates are high to avoid overstretching our health system,” she said the Chancellor.
Respect the rules to curb the spread of coronavirus
The Chancellor called on everyone in Germany to continue to respect the rules during the crucially important phase of the pandemic this autumn, urging them to keep social distance, maintain hygienic standards, wear face masks, etc.
She also urged them to use the Corona Warn App and air rooms regularly. It is also important to reduce the number of contacts where infection rates are high, so as not to overstretch the health system and jeopardise the economy further, Ms Merkel said.
The federal and state governments have taken an important step forward with their decision, she added.
“We are at a serious phase of the pandemic,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel. She is convinced that what we do, or do not do, over the next few days and weeks will be critical in how we manage to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week Ms Merkel held with the state premiers of Germany’s states or länder to discuss the current situation.
In line with their hotspot strategy to stop the rise in new case numbers, the federal and state governments decided to make face masks mandatory in more situations, to close bars and restaurants at 23:00 and to limit the number of relatives or friends who may meet in private homes, at the latest when the number of new cases exceeds 50 per 100,000 inhabitants over a seven-day period.
Merkel: We are not powerless
“New case numbers are rising, but we are by no means powerless,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said. “The days and weeks to come will decide how Germany copes with the pandemic this winter. The goal is and will remain “keeping the number of new cases down to a level where ideally every single case can be traced, the contact persons informed and warned and infection chains broken.”
Coronavirus in Germany: Decisions on restrictions made. What will be changing