Merkel announced stricter lockdown measures in Germany, especially during the Easter holidays

Germany is extending the restrictions for another month and introducing some more strict measures during the five days of the Easter holidays in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced early this morning.

In a statement after a marathon video interview with 16 governors of German states, she said that the restrictions that were introduced until March 28 will remain in effect until April 18.

"We have a new pandemic, so to speak. We have essentially a new virus, of course the same type but with completely different characteristics, much more deadly, much more infectious and infectious for a long time," said Merkel.

Most shops will be closed and religious services canceled for the Easter weekend from April 1 to 5 as part of increased restrictions introduced to stop the spread of Covid-19, Merkel announced.

Gatherings as well as outdoor restaurants will be banned from April 1 to 5 and only food shops can reopen on April 3.

In addition, numerous restrictions in force since the end of 2020, such as the restriction of private gatherings, the closure of cultural and entertainment venues, have been extended until April 18.

"The situation is serious, the number of cases is growing exponentially and intensive care beds are filling up again," the chancellor said at a press conference after 12 hours of talks with governors.

She said it was an "exponential growth epidemic" caused by the British strain of the virus.

The measure of emergency suspension of activity, which is introduced according to the agreement when the number of cases of infection exceeds 100 per 100.000 inhabitants during seven days, has been activated again.

Yesterday, the infection rate in Germany exceeded 107,3 cases per 100.000 inhabitants, with 7.700 new cases of infection and 50 deaths.

Curfews will not be imposed and schools will not be closed. School classes were already interrupted from December to February and many students have not yet returned to classes or come to school every other day.

The governors and the chancellor also talk about strengthening the vaccination campaign, which has been slow to take place.

"We are in a race to implement vaccination as quickly as possible," said the chancellor.

Due to fears of an increased number of trips abroad during the holidays, the authorities have also made it mandatory for airline passengers to be tested for covid-19 before traveling to Germany.

Merkel said that the situation will be better when more people are vaccinated.

In Germany, by Sunday, only about nine percent of the population had been vaccinated with the first dose of the vaccine, and four percent had received both doses.

Merkel said she supported the European Commission's push to block the supply of vaccines and vaccine components from the EU to ensure the fulfillment of a previously agreed supply to the Union, citing problems with AstraZeneca's vaccine supply.