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Germany: Angela Merkel wants further restrictions, including a ban on air travel and border controls

Germany restrictions: As reported by “Bild” , during an internal meeting between Chancellor Merkel and CDU politicians (the meeting was held on January 24), the head of the government demands that Germany be introduced further, even more drastic, restrictions. 

Due to the coronavirus mutation, she said, Germany is absolutely uncertain that the lockdown will be lifted in mid-February.

– We have to be even more stringent, otherwise we will go back to where we were two weeks ago. Germany must reach an infection rate below 50 per 100,000. residents – emphasised Angela Merkel.

As reported by “Bild” , during an internal meeting between Chancellor Merkel and CDU politicians (the meeting was held on January 24), the head of the government demands that Germany be introduced further, even more drastic, restrictions. Due to the coronavirus mutation, she said, Germany is sitting “on a powder keg” and it is absolutely uncertain that the lockdown will be lifted in mid-February.

– We have to be even more stringent, otherwise we will go back to where we were two weeks ago. Germany must reach an infection rate below 50 per 100,000. residents – emphasised Angela Merkel.

READ ALSO: Germany: Officials discover another coronavirus mutant variant different from UK – South Africa strains

Travel restrictions and border controls in Germany

The chancellor is increasingly concerned about the spread of new variants of the virus in Germany and the continued willingness of the Germans to travel as they could bring the mutant virus into the country.

– On Christmas, 50,000 people flew to the Canary Islands and the Maldives every day, she said during the conference. Hundreds of times she then asked herself, “Why can’t we ban travel?” But it was always “the answer coined by the citizens of the former East Germany that we are a free country.” It was possible to introduce a 15-kilometer zone of maximum distance from home, but it is difficult to ban travel around the world, she admitted. – We live on a powder keg because of a mutation.

She also explained that she would like to thin the air traffic in such a way that “it is impossible to get anywhere”. She pointed out that if travel bans cannot be introduced, she would like to otherwise prevent Germans travelling abroad from bringing the mutation into the country.

“Traveling has to become unattractive, uncomfortable, for example through quarantine,” said Merkel.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told Bild on Tuesday that a “massive restriction” to air traffic to Germany was under consideration, as well as tightening border controls.

The government is particularly concerned that airlines are not adhering to strict pandemic rules. 16 airlines have breached German entry regulations 250 times in just one day, writes Bild.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about Germany’s new mask rules for public transport and shops

Loosening in February? Still uncertain

During Sunday’s deliberation, the chancellor also admitted that it is still uncertain that the planned opening and gradual easing of the pandemic blockade could take place in mid-February.

She explained that she wanted to reverse the order of easing the restrictions.

“We have to endure the opposite of what was planned: kindergartens and schools first, then shops, then restaurants,” she said.

The chancellor also calls for more frequent tests in retirement homes.

source: BILD.de, dw.com, Afronews.de