Merkel warns Germany: Pandemic will only get tougher as summer ends

Berlin (dpa) – Germany is in for a tough final few months of the year, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Friday, noting that the looming autumn and winter seasons will bring with them new challenges in the coronavirus pandemic.

“In the coming months, it will come down to keeping the infection numbers down while we spend time indoors, in the workplace, in schools and at home,” Merkel told reporters during her annual summer conference in Berlin.

The foreboding message comes already at a time of concern, given that infections have been climbing considerably in the country in recent weeks.

On Friday, the daily rise in confirmed cases was above 1,500 for the second day in a row.

Germany’s total caseload now stands at 239,507, with 9,288 people having died after catching the virus, the Robert Koch Institute for disease control said.

After peaking at above 6,000 in late March and early April, the daily increase gradually tapered off to below 1,000, but has been on the rise again since July.

Merkel based her warning on indications that the novel coronavirus, which can cause the potentially lethal Covid-19 disease, can be spread through aerosols – tiny airborne droplets that make indoor gatherings particularly risky.

She named three goals in preparing for the next stage in crisis.

The first was “to do everything possible to prevent children from becoming the losers of the pandemic” by making preschool, primary and secondary education a priority.

The second was protecting the German economy by: shielding small businesses from the fallout of the pandemic; preventing mass layoffs with the help of a state furlough programme; and boosting innovation even during the crisis.

Thirdly, Merkel said she wanted to maintain “social cohesion” throughout the pandemic.

Since the first wave of infections in March prompted unprecedented restrictions in March, Germany has been gripped by debate about the best course of action as these measures were gradually lifted.

One tension has been regional differences, as the country’s federal division of powers leads to varying approaches between the 16 states.

Meanwhile, a movement critical of hygiene measures, including mask rules in shops and on public transport, has gained traction in recent months, at times bringing thousands-strong crowds onto the street in protest.

However, the chancellor stressed that “the overwhelming majority of people in Germany have shown common sense, a sense of responsibility and humanity.”

“I will always be thankful for this millionfold reaction from the people,” she added.

On Thursday, Merkel agreed with the leaders of the country’s 16 states to introduce new measures in response to the rising infections, including a minimum fine of 50 euros (59 dollars) for people flouting mask rules and stricter quarantine measures for travellers returning from high-risk regions abroad.

A strong majority of people in Germany support tougher measures in response to the pandemic, according to a poll released on Friday.

The ZDF broadcaster found that 77 per cent of those surveyed backed stricter controls, with a majority found across all political affiliations, apart from supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (48 per cent).

The ZDF poll found that 61 per cent of respondents favoured a unified nationwide approach, while just 37 per cent thought the regional differences between states were a good thing.