Containment: Germany eases restrictions, with regional pressures

Text by: RFI Follow

Germany continues its cautious return to normal. The country has been less affected than others by the coronavirus pandemic and is gradually easing the restrictions adopted a few weeks ago.

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From our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut

Between the fear of political leaders to go too fast and to be the victim of a second wave of coronavirus infections and the pressure of economic circles, a middle ground is difficult. A new meeting, Wednesday May 6, between Angela Merkel and the regional Länder bosses must decide on new measures.

More or less funny montage photos, more or more successful domestic attempts, desperate calls on social networks to find a clandestine solution. Without a doubt, the reopening of hairdressers in Germany is seen as a blessing for many.

Again, you will have to be careful, wear masks and not have too many customers at the same time. Another important step is the return of certain classes to schools, especially those that have to prepare for exams. Hygiene measures, distances to be respected are imposed. The other classes are staying at home for now.

Museums, zoos and botanical gardens can reopen

Children's play areas are again accessible. Museums, zoos and botanical gardens may reopen. But the bosses of certain regions want to go further. In Saxony-Anhalt, a Land little affected by the pandemic, the rule prohibiting the meeting outside of more than one person not belonging to his household has been relaxed and increased to five. A measure criticized in other regions.

Lower Saxony announces the reopening of restaurants for next Monday. But North Rhine-Westphalia threatens before a new meeting between the regions and the Chancellor on Wednesday: without a global agreement on the reopening of kindergartens, we will go it alone. For Angela Merkel , it is every day more difficult to contain the desires of certain regional barons.

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