Germany takes tentative steps back to normality as lockdown

Germany will relax its containment measures and begin reopening its economy starting Monday
Starting next Monday, Germany will gradually reopen the economy and public life. Besides, the European country announced this Wednesday that it will extend until May 3 the measures of social distancing and restriction of personal contacts imposed against the coronavirus pandemic.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and regional leaders agreed on the resumption of school life in stages from May 4, as well as the reopening of shops of up to 800 square meters. Despite this reopening, the authorities recommend, while it is recommended to wear a mask in all public spaces.

"We have achieved success, but it is still partial and fragile," said Merkel, referring to the slowdown in infections and the high number of patients recovered but at the same time they need for restrictions to persist that "imply changes in the way of life and sacrifices ”.

The recovery of some activities will start next Monday, coinciding with the end of the Easter holidays, when libraries, archives, and museums will reopen.

The resumption of school activity will still take a few weeks and will be gradual, starting with students in the last years of primary or secondary school.
However, the prohibition on meetings or outings in groups of more than two people, expandable to more members, for those who live in the same home remains. The general rule is to maintain a minimum personal distance of 1.5 meters, which does not prevent the individual practice of exercise or outdoor sports.

Restaurants, theaters and concert halls will remain closed and the ban on religious services will not be lifted either, while at least until August 31 there will be no large gatherings.

The recommendation not to make private trips, including those intended to be made for family reasons, is maintained with the precision that they are not prohibited, although they should be avoided.

These measures are general in nature, although each of the “Länder” is responsible for their implementation, according to the criteria of the regional government and the level that the pandemic has reached in its territory.

Germany is the fifth country in the world in several infections after the USA, Spain, Italy, and France. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which is competent in the matter in the country, the number of infections is now 127,584, of which 72,600 are already recovered patients. The number of fatalities stands at 3,254.