Advertisement

Pandemic will 'keep us busy all winter', warns Merkel

The Local Germany
The Local Germany - [email protected]
Pandemic will 'keep us busy all winter', warns Merkel
Angela Merkel on Wednesday. Photo: DPA

Despite the positive news about a potential vaccine, Chancellor Merkel has urged people to prepare for the difficult winter months.

Advertisement

"We have to assume that the second wave will be harder, and it mainly falls at a bad time of year," she said at the presentation of a report by the German Council of Economic Experts in Berlin on Wednesday.

"It will keep us busy all winter," she added. The crisis can only be overcome together, she added.

Advertisement

Even the positive news about the vaccine development would not change that – or be reflected this winter, Merkel stressed. Therefore, she urged people in Germany to stick to the coronavirus measures currently in place for the month of November.

READ ALSO: How close is Germany to receiving a Covid-19 vaccination?

According to the latest report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Wednesday, 18,487 new coronavirus infections were registered nationwide within 24 hours. This is 3,155 more cases than on Tuesday. Compared to Wednesday last week, the figure is slightly higher.

Health Minister Jens Spahn had earlier said there were slight signs of improvement, but not enough to signal a trend.

READ ALSO: Germany sees 'signs of change' in coronavirus situation

Merkel also insisted on adhering to the so-called "debt brake" in the German constitution, which sets guidelines for the federal and state governments on how much new debt is allowed. The debt brake is flexible enough in the current crisis, she said. But it "must also remain the guiding principle for future years," Merkel added, commenting on proposals to abolish the brake.

Meanwhile federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said he hoped Germany would be "in an epidemiologically better situation" around Christmas and the turn of the year.

"And this can only be achieved with discipline," the Christian Social Union (CSU) politician said. He warned that there should be no easing up on the rules currently.

"Do not underestimate the fact that many people severely ill with Covid-19 have lifelong consequential damage," he said.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also