Germany: Good Friday church service at a drive-in cinema amid COVID-19 lockdown

Good Friday saw car-bound worshippers come in their dozens to a church service at a Dusseldorf drive-in cinema, amid Germany's COVID-19 lockdown.

"The possibility to be here with many others and recognize people and cars passing by makes me feel the community again," said Derick Hermsen, a local resident. Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to continue respecting restrictions on public life over Easter to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Germany has shut schools, bars, most shops and other facilities, and also has banned gatherings of more than two people in public.

Those restrictions are set to remain in place until at least April 19, and Merkel plans to discuss how to proceed with state governors on Wednesday. Merkel said "we must keep this up over Easter and the days afterwards, because we could very, very quickly destroy what we have achieved."

As of Friday afternoon, Germany had confirmed over 118,200 coronavirus infections and 2,607 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

Image Credits: AP