Germany will undergo an even stricter lockdown over April 1-5, the Easter holiday period when shops, including grocery stores, will largely have to close. Announcing this, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany needed to “break the exponential growth of the third wave.” Case numbers have reached levels that authorities say will overburden intensive care units.
Along with extending existing measures, such as the closure of cultural, leisure, and sporting facilities, tougher restrictions will apply over the Easter period. Churches will be asked to hold services marking the Christian festival online. No more than five adults from two households will be able to meet over the five-day period. Testing and vaccination centers can remain open. Public gatherings will be prohibited. Almost all shops will be shut during the five days. Only grocery stores may open on Saturday, April 3.
Anyone from Germany spending the holiday abroad will have to be tested before boarding a flight back to Germany.
