First phase of pandemic is behind us: Merkel

May 06, 2020 19:37

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken with the leaders of all 16 German states, and is now giving a press conference about how to lift the lockdown.

"The first phase of the pandemic is behind us," she said, although she said the country is "still very much in early phases of pandemic and will be in it for the long haul".

Social distancing will remain in place until 5 June - but Germany will now start to loosen its restrictions.

Two households will be allowed to meet in public, she said.

Angela Merkel has also said the latest figures from Germany's Robert Koch Institute, which has been reporting on confirmed cases and deaths, have been "very good news".

"The figures are still low [after lifting measures] so that's something I'm very pleased about," she said.

But restrictions will be put back in place if those infections rise again.

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