Coronavirus: German leaders mull easing lockdown

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the 16 state premiers on Wednesday to discuss the gradual easing of coronavirus curbs in the country.

Though some measures could be lifted, most of the current restrictions are expected to be extended until March 28.

With elections coming up in September, Merkel and the nation's leaders are under increasing pressure to offer plans to restore a sense of normalcy after four months of shutdowns. 

According to a draft proposal seen by the German news agency DPA, the next round of easing could be tied to a seven-day incidence rate of 100. The incidence rate is a metric that records the number of people infected per 100,000 people during a one-week period.

If this level is reached, states could consider allowing retailers to reopen with "click and meet" times for shoppers.

Museums and zoos could also welcome back visitors by appointment.

What else are Germany's top lawmakers discussing?

State leaders are discussing whether to make rapid coronavirus tests easily available.

Additionally, they will talk about plans to boost the country's slow vaccine roll out. So far, only around 5% of the population has received a first coronavirus vaccine shot.

"For the next several weeks and months, if infection levels remain stable, there will be a four-pronged approach of vaccination, testing, contact tracing and openings," a draft resolution said.

Free rapid virus tests 

To keep the risk of rising infection rates low, people may be entitled to at least one free rapid test per week, according to the draft proposal.

In an earlier version, the government had considered the possibility of offering two free rapid tests per week.

The free test should be offered to "all asymptomatic citizens," according to the draft, released on Wednesday morning. Systematic testing will also take place within workplaces and in schools and day care centers as part of the new national testing strategy, which will be implemented gradually through the start of April.

The plan will also allow certain doctors' offices to offer the inoculation.

Leaders call for speedier vaccinations

Ahead of the talks, several politicians had called for a speedier vaccination campaign. "Every vaccinated person is one less risk," North Rhine-Westphalia State Premier Armin Laschet said.

Berlin Mayor Michael Müller called for the immediate inclusion of doctors' offices in the vaccination campaign.

It was unclear whether contact restrictions would be relaxed over the Easter holidays to allow for family visits.

A lawmaker's perspective

Andrew Ullman, the spokesperson for the German parliament's health committee, told DW that he supports a step-by-step reopening of Germany.

"We're not talking about a radical opening. That is not possible, but locally we could do these things," he said, such as opening shops and reducing social contact restrictions.

The lawmaker, a member of the Free Democrats who is also a trained physician, said his party wanted to find a way to keep up prevention measures without enforcing a full shutdown.

"We need to understand that a pandemic crisis is real and that the virus can cause severe disease and even death. However, we need to understand that everybody wants to have some kind of normality back in their lives and their social lives," Ullman said.

Some restrictions lifted

Germany moved ahead with the first reopening steps this week. On Monday, hairdressers were able to open after a two-and-a-half month break. Meanwhile, some German states also allowed businesses such as florists and hardware stores to open on Monday.

Most stores have been closed since December 16, while restaurants, bars, sports and leisure facilities have been closed since November 2.

kmm, lc/nm (AP, AFP, Reuters)