Düsseldorf (dpa) - In view of the danger posed by the mutated corona virus, NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) justified the extension of the lockdown until mid-February.

"We must not gamble away the successes in the fight against the second wave," said Laschet on Tuesday after the federal-state consultations.

There is still a chance "to nip the mutated virus in the bud".

Everything must be done to ensure that the mutated virus does not spread explosively like in England.

Germany must use the time advantage before England to fight the virus, said Laschet, who is also the new CDU federal chairman.