BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Germans on Thursday to be a little more patient after agreeing with regional leaders to extend the coronavirus blockade until March 7 and said the restrictions would not last a day. more than necessary.
Addressing the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, Merkel said the extension was necessary to avoid a third wave due to the risk posed by new variants of the virus.
“I know that what we have achieved in our fight against the virus has had, and is still having, a high price,” said Merkel.
A gradual drop in daily infections has increased pressure for easing of the strict restrictions in place since mid-December and Merkel agreed with state premieres on Wednesday that some schools and hairdressers could open before March 7.
With neighboring countries trying to contain major outbreaks, Germany will impose stricter controls on people seeking to enter its territory from the Czech Republic and the Tyrol region in Austria from 14 February, a Ministry spokesman said. Interior on Thursday.
The Czech Republic previously announced a stricter blockade in three districts, including two on the border with Germany, where coronavirus infections rose to more than 1,000 per 100,000 residents last week.
“The introduction of border controls is necessary to prevent the virus (mutation) from being transmitted to Germany,” said the Interior Ministry spokesman, adding that details of how strict the measures will be are still being finalized.
Seeking to reassure the Germans that the blockade was helping, Merkel said she was aware that this was the most serious restriction on freedoms in postwar Germany. She knew that many people were lonely and worried about money and their future.
“As a democracy, we have a duty not to maintain restrictions for a day longer than necessary,” she said.
Europe’s largest economy shrank 5% last year and some companies are dismayed by the latest extension and the lack of a timetable for easing restrictions.
A vaccination program offered hope for the coming months, Merkel said, adding that she understands the disappointment of people with the implantation, which is much slower than in Britain, Israel and the United States.
To avoid a third wave of infections, however, a little more patience was needed.
“I don’t think the shuttle – opening and closing again – brings more predictability to people than waiting a few more days,” said Merkel.
(Reporting by Madeline Chambers, Christoph Steitz and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Giles Elgood, Alexandra Hudson)