Germany extends COVID-19 lockdown to March 7 - Global Times

Germany will extend lockdown efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic for three more weeks till March 7, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the 16 federal state leaders decided on Wednesday.

According to the decision paper published following a video conference, the restrictions tackling the spread of the virus, which are due on Feb. 14, will extend to March 7.

More restrictive measures will be relaxed only when the seven-day incidence rate is stable at 35, which means that 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the decision paper. When the figure is reached, businesses, museums and galleries are able to reopen.

The seven-day incidence rate fell to 68 on Wednesday from the highest point of 198 on Dec. 22, according to Germany's federal disease control agency Robert Koch Institute (RKI).