Germany's partial lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus will be extended through December 20, federal and state leaders said on Wednesday, after spending seven hours discussing the matter in a video conference. Although the current regulations, which been in place for more than three weeks, have shown signs of stopping the virus from spreading faster, more time is needed to ensure safety, said Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Once more, we need to draw on our strengths," she said, noting that the extended measures could be lifted should there be an unexpected drop in case counts.
"Unfortunately, that is not foreseeable at the moment," she said.
Federal and state leaders also agreed to limit private gatherings to five people from two households - with children aged 14 and under exempted from the count, Merkel said. However, the virus contact restrictions are due to be eased between December 23 and January 1 to enable people to celebrate during the Christmas period.
Up to 10 people are to be allowed to meet, with children aged 14 and under exempt from the limit, representatives decided, although the state of Schleswig-Holstein plans to stick to its own rules.