The corona virus is spreading at an alarming rate and citizens must minimize all contact, says Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference. You should stay at least one and a half meters away from other people, she adds.
The strict measure applies to all collections outside the home. All restaurants, hairdressers and other businesses where people usually gather will be forced to stay closed. However, it will still be allowed to order home food.
Angela Merkel agreed on new injunctions at a telephone meeting with all the Presidents of the federal states. They will be valid for at least two weeks.
The new restrictions come only days after the risk level of the spread of infection in the country was raised from medium to high. Germany has so far identified more than 22,000 cases of coronary infections, 17,000 of which have been confirmed in the last seven days.