German Streets were Quiet on the First Day of a new Partial Lockdown
Frankfurt Main, Dec 16 (AFP/APP): German streets were quiet “like Sunday” on the first day of a new partial lockdown to try to halt surging infections, as the country reported a record number of Covid-19 deaths.
A total of 952 people died in the previous 24 hours, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) disease control center Wednesday, a figure that could rise as the hard-hit Saxony region was not included in Tuesday’s numbers.
The RKI said 27,728 new coronavirus cases were registered, a figure close to the daily record of nearly 30,000 infections reported on Friday. Some 83 percent of critical care beds in hospitals were occupied on Wednesday, the country’s intensive care and emergency medicine association (DIVI) said.
The new restrictions, including closures of schools and non-essential shops until at least January 10, demonstrate the seriousness of the situation in Europe’s largest economy. Removing the festive lights that framed his mulled wine stand in the center of Berlin, Tobias admitted he was resigned.
“Until last night, we were still welcoming customers but today it’s over — there’s no point in leaving up the decorations”, the 30-year-old told AFP. “It feels like a Sunday” when shops across Germany are typically closed, said Ines Kumpl, a 57-year-old Berliner. “These measures are necessary but it’s stressful.”
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