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Germany extends coronavirus distance rules to June 29th

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Germany extends coronavirus distance rules to June 29th
A sign at a beach in Niendorf, Schleswig-Holstein reading "Please keep a distance."

Germany has extended social distancing rules aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus epidemic to June 29th, Chancellor Angela Merkel's government said on Tuesday.

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Up to 10 people will be allowed to gather in public places but Germans should be in contact with as few people as possible, according to the rules agreed between the federal government and 16 states.

The date was pushed forward slightly from the government's original draft plan, which stated that the social distancing rules - currently in place until June 5th - would be extended until July 5th.

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Merkel's government had been embroiled in disagreements with the least-affected states, some - such as Saxony and Thuringia - of which wanted to ditch the measures and open up entirely.

READ ALSO: First German state set to end coronavirus restrictions in early June

Germany's virus caseload now tops 181,000 with just over 8,300 deaths -- much lower than European counterparts such as Britain, France, Spain and Italy. Of those, over 161,000 people have reported themselves to have recovered. 

"This success is mainly based on the fact that the rules on distance and hygiene have been implemented and respected," the government and the regions said.

However, officials warned that further restrictions could be imposed if local outbreaks made them necessary.

 

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