German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged caution. Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged caution. Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged caution. Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged caution. Reuters

Coronavirus: Angela Merkel concerned over ‘brisk’ lifting of lockdown in Germany


Jamie Prentis
  • English
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Germany is still in the early stages in its fight against the coronavirus outbreak despite the loosening of some restrictions, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Thursday.

While small shops were allowed to re-open this week, Ms Merkel has repeatedly urged Germans to remain cautious and respect the rules.

She said the lifting of some quarantine measures had in parts come "across as brisk, not to say too brisk".

Retailers whose shops are up to 800 square metres are now allowed to open, along with car and bicycle dealers, and bookstores. Strict social distancing measures remain in place and face masks have been made compulsory in public.

While Germany has reported the fifth highest number of cases worldwide - nearly 150,000 - it's death toll of just over 5,000 is significantly lower than similar sized countries.

The latest figures showed cases where people recovered outnumbering new infections.

"It is precisely because the figures give rise to hope that I feel obliged to say that this interim result is fragile. We are on thin ice, the thinnest ice even," Ms Merkel told the lower house of parliament.

"We are still far from out of the woods," she said. "We are not living in the final phase of the pandemic, but still at the beginning."

Social distancing rules will remain in place until May 3. Schools will start opening from May 4, with priority for final-year students. Hairdressers can also reopen then as Germany follows in the wake of other European countries in relaxing its measures.

"If we show the greatest possible endurance and discipline at the beginning of this pandemic, we will be able to return to economic, social and public life more quickly and sustainably," Ms Merkel said.

Germany has been praised for its initial response to the outbreak and, in particular, its policy of mass testing.

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia on October 10

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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
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  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
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Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

Scoreline

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17

Jebel Ali Dragons 20

Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson

Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2

The specs

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Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

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50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto

Rooney's club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

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It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

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Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.