Prognosis
Merkel Tightens Curbs as Deaths Rise Most Since Pandemic Began
- Companies need to justify going to the office until March 15
- Germany warns neighbors that it may restrict travel entry
A pedestrian passes a closed department store in Berlin on Jan. 19.
Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Chancellor Angela Merkel extended and tightened coronavirus restrictions, intensifying Germany’s efforts to check the disease as deaths rose by the most since the pandemic began.
After a video call that dragged late into Tuesday night, Merkel and the premiers of the country’s 16 states prolonged lockdown rules -- which include closing non-essential stores and restricting movement in hard-hit areas -- until Feb. 14. Merkel warned that the government might impose border controls without coordinated efforts to guard against risks posed by new strains.