German Chancellor Angela Merkel Warns The Pandemic Has Only Just Begun

DW: Coronavirus will make life hard for a long time, Angela Merkel says

Despite positive developments in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned that the pandemic has only just begun. She also said Germany should be prepared to open its pocketbook to help the EU.

The decision to impose restrictions on public life in the face of the coronavirus outbreak was one of the hardest choices of her chancellorship, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told German lawmakers on Thursday.

"This pandemic is an imposition to democracy," Merkel said.

Last week Germany extended until May 3 most of the restrictions it had imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, though some shops have reopened and older school children will be allowed to return to class.

The measures have thus far contributed to Germany being able to avoid overwhelming its health care system with coronavirus patients.

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Update: Merkel says Germany has gone TOO FAR in easing restrictions and warns 'we can't return to life before coronavirus' as Spain's PM also predicts U-turn if infections spike again (Daily Mail).

WNU Editor: Small stores opened today in Germany, and it was a flop .... "No lines, no crowds": Germans stay home as stores reopen (Reuters).