Germany will extend social distancing measures introduced last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus to April 19 and the government will re-evaluate the situation after the Easter holiday, Chancellor
Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
Germany has closed schools, shops, restaurants, playgrounds and sports facilities and many companies have stopped production to help tackle the disease but the numbers of new coronavirus cases and deaths are still rising.
"We are seeing some small effect (from the measures) but we are far from where we need to be," Merkel told reporters after a conference call with the premiers of Germany's 16 states.