590 new deaths in Germany at record high, Merkel calls for stronger epidemic restrictions

Germany today reported a record high of 590 new deaths from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for tighter lockdown measures to stop the continued spread of the disease.

Scientists at the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina signed a letter yesterday recommending that the government close businesses and limit social gatherings after Christmas.

The scientists called for all businesses, except those selling necessities, to be closed from Christmas Eve until at least January 10. Employees should work from home whenever possible, and schools should remain closed.

This recommendation is intended to keep people at home during the holiday in order to break the chain of infection.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, that she agrees with the proposal to close businesses after Christmas until Jan. 10.

Merkel said past experience shows that the second wave of an epidemic is usually more severe than the first, adding that too many people in Germany have contracted the disease.

Merkel said that the German population has not reduced contact with others enough. Germany has implemented a mild closure of the city, keeping only schools and businesses open to stem the spread of the epidemic.