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Berlin (dpa) - Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the longer lockdown until February despite the falling corona numbers and warned of otherwise impending setbacks.

It is "very encouraging" that the current situation is beginning to relax, she said in Berlin.

But you shouldn't wait until a new, probably more contagious virus variant spreads and is reflected in the daily numbers.

"Then it would be too late to prevent a third wave of the pandemic and possibly an even more violent one than ever before."

Merkel again promised to advance vaccinations in Germany as quickly as possible.

It is "good news" that the daily new infections and the occupancy of the intensive care units are finally falling.

"This shows that the tough cuts that people in Germany have had to take for weeks are beginning to pay off," said the Chancellor.

The effort is worth it.

The number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days has now fallen to 119 and thus the lowest value since November 1, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Thursday.

Shortly before Christmas (December 22nd) the high was 197.6.

However, there are still major differences between the federal states - from Thuringia with 225 to Bremen with 77. The aim is a national level of less than 50.

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At the same time, there are still “shockingly high death rates,” said Merkel.

The mutated virus is not yet dominant in Germany.

“Nevertheless, we have to take this risk very seriously.

At least I can only advise all of us. "

The spread must be slowed down as much as possible.

There is still some time to prevent.

Therefore, the longer lockdown aims to significantly accelerate the decline in infections before the mutated virus spreads.

Merkel expressed understanding for displeasure and frustration in the pandemic, which everyone felt as an imposition.

For example, with families, culture and business, "patience is put to an extremely hard test".

The federal and state governments decided on Tuesday to extend the lockdown, which was initially planned until the end of January, with the closure of many facilities until February 14th.

In addition, there are new specifications for better protective masks in buses, trains and shops as well as for working from home.

Merkel emphasized: "Everything serves the goal of getting the pandemic under control this year and ultimately overcoming it."

According to Merkel, support for those in need to buy FFP2 masks has not yet been an issue.

If the restrictions persist for a long time, one must “of course also think about whether we have to help again at this point”.

The federal government is already financing FFP2 masks for 34 million people from corona risk groups.

In view of the criticism of vaccinations that are starting up slowly, Merkel said: "I understand the impatience."

If everything goes as promised, it will be possible to "make every citizen a vaccination offer by the end of summer," she affirmed with a view to planned deliveries and approvals of further vaccines - and the summer is on the calendar until September 21.

It does not operate a vaccine plant and therefore cannot guarantee production itself.

The federal government is supporting the construction of a factory for the manufacturer Biontech in Marburg, which will create more capacity.

Merkel emphasized the expectation that delivery quantities that have been promised for the first quarter will come in spite of modifications in a filling plant of the Biontech partner Pfizer.

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Merkel opposed the fact that there could already be exceptions to corona restrictions for vaccinated people.

«We don't know whether the vaccinated person can infect others.

The question of privileges does not arise for so long. "

With a view to possible easing, she said you couldn't open everything again at a level of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants.

"A priority for me is very clear that daycare centers and schools have to be reopened first."

You are in first place, that is completely undisputed.

Criticism came from the opposition.

FDP leader Christian Lindner accused Merkel of leaving citizens in the dark about a "long-term strategy".

You rely "on the principle of precaution, without having a sufficient database, especially about the corona mutations," he told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung".

AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel criticized: "Lockdown extensions in series and with no prospect of an end have exhausted the patience of the citizens."

a “realistic and reliable exit strategy” is needed.

There is also a need for voluntary vaccination options for all those who are willing to vaccinate and protection for particularly vulnerable population groups.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210121-99-120128 / 2