Angela Merkel urges citizens to not jeopardise the fight against COVID-19

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday stressed the national effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic must not be jeopardised by easing restrictions too quickly. Addressing lawmakers in parliament, Merkel said it would be "depressing" if "because we want too much too fast, we had to go back to restrictions that we all want to leave behind."

"So let us be brave and vigilant. Let's gradually reopen public and economic life, always keeping the pandemic in sight," she added. German officials have cleared the way for restaurants, hotels and remaining shops to reopen in the coming weeks.

Angela said asked people to be more vigilant as the country lift the lockdown restrictions and decides to reopen economic life. 

"It would be depressing if, because we want too much too fast, we had to go back to restrictions that we all want to leave behind. So let us be brave and vigilant. Let's gradually reopen public and economic life, always keeping the pandemic in sight," she added.

They also put in place a requirement to re-impose restrictions if new coronavirus infections exceed a set number. Germany started loosening restrictions over three weeks ago, when small shops were allowed to reopen. Other facilities, including hairdressers and zoos, have followed. The country of 83 million has reported over 173,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 7,756 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

(Image Credit: AP)