Germany bans gatherings of more than TWO people in nationwide crackdown in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus
- Family members are exception from the rule, according to regional premier
- Angela Merkel made agreement today with regional leaders to control virus
- Coronavirus has killed 73 people across Germany and infected some 22,000
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Germany has banned gatherings of more than two people in a nationwide crackdown to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the unprecedented measures in Berlin today after she held a teleconference with the governors of Germany’s 16 states, discussing how to contain the deadly virus.
Around 73 people have died in Germany after testing positive for COVID-19, which has infected almost 22,000 across the nation.
‘Our own behaviour is the most effective way’ of slowing the rate of infection, Merkel said of the nationwide measures, which are expected to remain in place for two weeks.
People will not be allowed to form groups of more than two in public unless they live together in the same household or the gathering is work-related, she added.
Germany has banned gatherings of more than two people in a nationwide crackdown to stop the spread of coronavirus (Pictured: Angela Merkel)
The German chancellor claims she is against a rigid lockdown because she fears it could backfire.
In a statement given in Berlin after the teleconference, Merkel added: ‘The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus’.
The German chancellor also further tightened rules on social interaction, with restaurants ordered to only offer takeaway services and hairdressers and beauty, massage and tattoo parlours asked to close.
It comes after Merkel last week announced gatherings in churches, mosques and synagogues would be banned and said playgrounds and non-essential shops would close amid growing numbers of coronavirus cases.
Germany’s public health agency, the Robert Koch Institute, also warned on Tuesday that the coronavirus crisis could last up to two years.
The institute said the global pandemic could stretch on for another 24 months as they usually run their course in waves.
Germany has banned gatherings of more than two people in a nationwide crackdown in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus
Chancellor Angela Merkel made the agreement with regional leaders today while in discussions over how to contain the virus, which has infected almost 22,000 people and killed 70 in Germany
She claims she is against a rigid lockdown because she fears that it could backfire