Germany will further tighten epidemic prevention and control measures
Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, December 13 (Reporter Yirong Zhang) The German Federation and the state governments agreed on the 13th to further tighten the epidemic prevention and control measures from the 16th in view of the high number of new confirmed cases and deaths in the country. Until January 10 next year.
According to the agreement reached between the German Federal and the state governments, during this period, retail stores except for food and essential daily necessities will be closed, schools and kindergartens will stop face-to-face courses but will provide distance education, and corporate employers should provide employees with holidays or work from home Program.
In addition, restaurant takeaway services, haircuts and other services will be closed.
Economic sectors severely affected by the epidemic prevention measures will continue to receive financial support.
The agreement also stipulates that the holiday gathering of relatives and friends generally does not exceed 2 households with 5 people, but does not include people under the age of 14.
During New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, gatherings are prohibited nationwide, and the sale and setting of fireworks are prohibited.
Religious ceremonies can only be performed under certain conditions.
The agreement also called on people to abandon all unnecessary domestic and foreign travel.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated at a press conference after the consultation meeting that the restrictive measures implemented in early November were "not enough", and the goal of reducing all kinds of people's contact by 70% to 75% was only achieved by 40% at most.
With the dramatic increase in contact brought by Christmas shopping, urgent action must be taken to avoid overloading the health system.
In response to the new crown epidemic, Germany has closed catering and recreational facilities from early November.
On November 25, the relevant measures were extended to December 20, and the restrictions on the number of private parties and the wearing of masks were tightened.
On December 2, the tightened measures were again extended to January 10 next year.
According to data released by the Robert Koch Institute, a German disease control agency, on December 13th, as of 0:00 that day, Germany had 20,200 new confirmed cases of new crowns compared with the previous day, and a total of 13,20716 confirmed cases; 321 new deaths, a total of There were 21,787 deaths.