Germany is extending the current strict closure measures until the end of January and introducing additional ones, it was announced today after a meeting of representatives of the federal and provincial governments.

–  The number of newly infected is still too high. Our goal must be to reduce the seven-day incidence below 50 – said German Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting with the prime ministers of the federal states.

Prohibitions of movement

Thus, under the new measures, it was allowed to meet members of the same household with only one person from another, and until today it was possible with five people.

In districts with a seven-day incidence higher than 200, additional movement restriction measures are being introduced. Residents of these areas will not, without special need, be allowed to move outside a radius of 15 kilometers.

A new strain of coronavirus

The German chancellor justified these measures, among other things, with the appearance of a new, highly contagious strain of coronavirus.

“The new measures we have adopted are significantly stricter,” Merkel said.

In addition to the ten-day self-isolation that is currently in force, the obligation to test for coronavirus is introduced shortly before or immediately after returning to Germany.

Earlier, in a phone conversation, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possible joint venture between Germany and Russia for an improved Coronavirus vaccine.

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