Germany tightens virus lockdown rules over Christmas period

 Germany is closing most stores and schools, and furr limiting social contacts in an effort to drive down rate of coronavirus infections that have remained stubbornly high in recent weeks.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said she and goverrs of Germany's 16 states agreed Sunday to step up country's lockdown measures from Dec. 16 to Jan. 10 to stop exponential rise of COVID-19 cases.

“We are forced to act, and we’re acting too,” Merkel told reporters in Berlin.

Existing restrictions imposed in vember failed to significantly reduce number of new infections, she said. Germany recorded 20,200 newly confirmed cases and 321 ditional deaths Sunday, a high number for weekend when many local authorities don’t report figures.

With exception of Christmas, number of people allowed to meet indoors will remain restricted to five, t including children under 14.

sale of fireworks tritionally used to celebrate New Year's will be banned, as will outdoor sale of alcohol.

(IM CREDITS:AP)