German authorities will not lift the nationwide coronavirus lockdown anytime soon, a top German government official has said.
Helge Braun, the head of Angela Merkel’s Chancellery said the lockdown could remain in place until the second part of April, adding that even in such a case, measures could remain in place for some people, DW reported.
“We will not discuss any relaxing [of restrictions] until April 20, and until then, all measures will remain in place,” Braun told Der Tagesspiegel, adding that it should be clear after Easter whether the restrictions have slowed the spread of COVID-19.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: German State Finance Minister Thomas Schäfer commits suicide
German has put in place drastic measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“If we manage to slow the rate of infection so that it takes ten, twelve or more days for cases to double, then we know we’re on the right track,” said Braun.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: why Germany has low death rates
Most food and entertainment outlets have been shut down in Germany, along with schools, universities and non-essential shops.
In mid March while ordering the drastic measures to help the country fight the spread of coronavirus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “We are dealing with something unique here. The more every individual sticks to these restrictions, the faster we can get through this phase.”
Cases of COVID-19 in Germany continue to rise. The virus has so far infected 57,298 and killed 455 people, latest report from the German disease and epidemic control center, Robert Koch Institute (RKI) shows. The incidence (cases per 100,000) of COVID-19 is highest in Hamburg (112) followed by Bavaria (107) and Baden-Württemberg (99).
OTHER ARTICLES CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS
Coronavirus advice from Nollywood star Prince Ogugua Igwe
Musician Ade Bantu criticises Nigeria’s way of handling coronavirus crisis
Coronavirus: Nigerian celebs Banky W, Adesuwa Etomi, Ebuka, Mercy Eke on quarantine