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Berlin extends lockdown measures by three weeks

The Local Germany
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Berlin extends lockdown measures by three weeks
Eingepackte Cafe-Tische und ein geschlossener Schirm stehen auf dem Alexanderplatz vor dem Berliner Fernsehturm. +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Berlin has extended shutdown measures - which include stricter rules for meeting in the evening - until May 9th.

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This means that the previous lockdown measures - which were set to expire on April 18th - will continue to apply.

According to the measures, only five people from two households, not counting children up to the age of 14, are allowed to meet. From 9pm to 5am, up to two people will be allowed to meet in public. 

Restaurants will also remain closed - except for take-out and delivery - and hotels stays for tourism purposes will continue to be prohibited.

Covid-19 tests will also continue to be required for hairdressing and shopping appointments, and workplaces will need to offer their employees who come into the workplace two tests per week. 

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New nationwide rules

However, these rules are not likely to apply for much longer due to a new federal law which would see new national rules put in place. 

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The German government on Tuesday approved amendments to the Infection Protection Act with the aim of standardising the coronavirus rules in Germany. 

READ ALSO: German government agrees on law for curfews and tougher measures nationwide

When the Act passes, it will set a nationwide Notbremse (emergency brake) for regions with an incidence of 100 or more new infections per 100,000 people within a week.

As of Tuesday, Berlin had a 7-day incidence of 127.6.

Berlin’s mayor Michael Müller of the Social Democrats (SPD) called for more flexibility in the national rules, pointing out that other factors and not just infection numbers should be taken into consideration. 

He said that some of the countrywide measures were "overstated", or were too strict, such as a curfew which prohibits being outside, except for emergency or work related situations, and should be adapted regionally.

Vocabulary

extend - verlängern

curfew/lockdown - (die) Ausgangssperre

not counting - nicht mitgezählt

overstate something - übers Ziel hinausschießen

We’re aiming to help our readers improve their German by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find this article useful? Let us know.

 

 

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