Record rise in German coronavirus cases as Merkel pushes for shutdown

By Rachel More, dpa
Berlin (dpa) – Germany reported a record spike in coronavirus infections on Wednesday, hours before Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to discuss with regional leaders her proposal for a sweeping shutdown next month.

The Robert Koch Institute for disease control said 14,964 new coronavirus infections had been confirmed over a 24-hour period, marking the country’s highest daily increase since the pandemic began.

This brings the total number of cases so far to 449,275. The institute gave the death toll as 10,098, an increase of 27 compared to the previous day.

Merkel is expected to urge the premiers of Germany’s 16 states to bring back sweeping restrictions in their regions similar to those seen at the start of the pandemic in March and April.

According to a position paper seen by dpa, the government is pushing for the closure of bars and restaurants from November 4 until the end of that month, with exceptions for takeaway food.

Under the plans, gatherings in public would be limited to members of just two households and domestic tourism would be largely banned, with overnight stays in hotels forbidden unless for “essential” reasons.

Merkel is also pushing to have cinemas and theatres shut, as well as sports facilities such as gyms and swimming pools.

Schools and childcare centres would remain open, but would be required to introduce new hygiene protocols.

Hairdressers would also be allowed to stay open, but the government wants cosmetic studios, massage parlours and tattoo studios to close under the shutdown.

Merkel’s conference with the state premiers is scheduled to start at 1 pm (1200 GMT). After inviting the regional leaders to Berlin to discuss the situation just two weeks ago, the format has moved back online due to the soaring infection rates.

The government’s proposed November shutdown is aimed at putting a break on the country’s much larger second wave of cases in a bid to save Christmas.

“Families and friends should be able to meet each other during the Christmas season even under coronavirus conditions. That’s why, as we did in spring, we need another joint effort,” the draft plan says.