BERLIN (GERMANY) – Many of Germany’s 16 federal states are in favour of extending a partial shutdown, which aims to slow the spread of the pandemic. This would make family gatherings during Christmas possible, one of the state prime ministers said on Monday.
Manuela Schwesig, premier of the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, told Deutschlandfunk radio, “The (infection) numbers are subdued but they remain high.”
Germany imposed a month-long “lockdown-lite” from Nov. 2 to prevent a second wave of the virus.
State premiers and Chancellor Angela Merkel are due to discuss new measures on Wednesday, which could see an extension of the measures until Dec. 20, according to senior politicians and a draft proposal obtained on Sunday.
Bars and restaurants are closed, but schools and shops remain open. Private gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households. According to the draft proposal, the number would be reduced to five.