Germany: People enjoy last gym session before new restrictions

Gym goers in the western German city of Cologne exercised for one last time on Sunday night before new virus restrictions come into effect all over the country from Monday. Last week on Wednesday, German officials agreed to a four-week partial shutdown in a bid to curb a sharp rise in coronavirus infections.

Restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres, fitness centers and other leisure facilities will be closed. However, unlike during Germany's shutdown during the first phase of the pandemic, restaurants will still be allowed to serve take-out food while shops and schools are to remain open. The latest restrictions caused mixed reactions amongst some gym users.

Onur, 21, a student from Cologne, said that he trusted the way the government had handled the pandemic so far and understood the need for new restrictions. However, Yalcin, 40, from Cologne was not fully convinced, arguing for even stricter measures. "They are closing restaurants and pubs now, but for example hairdressers are allowed to stay open. You also have contact there, I'd say. And that is a mystery to me somehow", he said.