Photographer: Lisa Johansen-Coppits / Bloomberg Photographer: Lisa Johansson-Coppits / Bloomberg Subscribe to our Covit-19 podcast for the latest news and analysis on our daily Corona Virus newsletter about what you need to know. Germany has been tight-lipped since Wednesday, with essential shops closed and employers urging the closure of workplaces, encouraging school children to stay home. Strict restrictions will last until at least January 10 – including a ban on meetings for the New Year, as a loose strike has failed to stem the rise in daily corona virus infections and deaths. President Angela Merkel acknowledged the measures in talks with leaders of Germany’s 16 states on Sunday and warned that the pressure on the country’s healthcare system would increase. “Urgent action is needed,” Merkel told a news conference. “We have seen an increase in infections and rapid growth in recent days, which means we have to mourn many deaths.” After conveniently dealing with the initial waves of the epidemic, the country lags far behind many of its neighbors, and officials are under more pressure to act just days before Christmas. Infections and deaths rose to levels recorded on Friday, with nearly 22,000 people dying from the disease in a total of 1.3 million cases. Flat lining Germany’s Govt-19 eruption was small, but it has not yet come to fruition Source: European Center for Disease Control and Prevention Merged with more complex and sometimes dysfunctional federal system in dealing with epidemics . Europe’s largest economy will take another blow to consumer and business confidence after the spring lockdown triggered a decline in activity. The Bild newspaper reported on Sunday that a group of retailers had warned Merkel about “catastrophic consequences” if stores were closed during the main shopping month of December. Bild quotes the letter as saying, “You seal the bankruptcy of thousands of retailers irrevocably, leaving millions unemployed in the event of a difficult lockdown.” Germany’s plan for tight locks: All non-essential stores will be closed from December. 16 to 10 January. Children in schools and nurseries were encouraged to stay at home. The virus has been imposed on hotspots in more than 200 cases per 100,000 people in seven days, with a mild shutdown in Germany since early November – which closed bars, gyms and theaters but allowed most economies to continue – failing to bring the virus back under control, stifling hospitals and complicating communication. In November and December, the government provided emergency relief to businesses worth 15 15 billion ($ 18.2 billion) a month. However, officials have warned that such aid could not continue until next year. The less generous plan, which covers fixed costs such as heating and rent, has been extended until the end of June. Merkel, who is in her final year as president for 16 years, effectively announced the task she accomplished in the spring when she vowed to avoid reconsidering a national lock – which was already less than in countries like Italy and Spain. Severe cases The corona virus is increasingly reducing the capacity of Germany’s ICU, creating the impression that the country can escape loose controls that cause less damage to the economy. This triggered a false sense of security during the summer months, in which Germany allowed people to travel freely across Europe, while failing to properly prepare for the second wave by rapidly increasing test waves, protecting the elderly and gaining online learning skills. When it became clear in mid-November that the epidemic rate had not decreased, the German federal system – in which the states regulate health policy and schools – became a major hurdle for a clear answer. Merkel was subjected to very strict restrictions at the time. But many regional heads of state opposed it, fearing it would alienate voters with additional restrictions and anger over the way Merkel tried to force them to a decision. By controlling the mood before the holidays and easing the restrictions, the Germans face the psychological blow of severe restrictions in 2020 draws to a close. Still, darkness is relative. The German outbreak has never reached highs in countries such as France, the United Kingdom and Spain, and infection rates are lower than more than half in Europe. Before it was here, it was at the Bloomberg terminal. Learn more.
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