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Merkel Warns COVID-19 Mutations May Destroy Gains against Pandemic


Thu 11 Feb 2021 | 05:13 PM
Omnia Ahmed

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Thursday the government's decision to extend a COVID-19 lockdown into March, warning that new strains of the virus "may destroy any success" already achieved in keeping the pandemic in check.

"We have to be extremely cautious that we don't get into this exponential growth spiral again," Merkel told lawmakers.

Moreover; Merkel defended the use of infection rates, determining when it is safe to ease the lockdown measures.

"I really support the fact that when it comes to further openings and reopenings we've decided on the basis of these new mutations, not to give dates, but to give infection rates," she said.

The German chancellor acknowledged that the lockdown had caused lots of suffering, noting that it was a hard winter, “both outside and when it comes to our lives.”

Nonetheless, she revealed that her target was avoiding another wave with out-of-control infection rates.

Those remarks came a day after U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned Britons that they might need to "get used to the idea of vaccinating and revaccinating" to keep up with newly emerging strains of the deadly virus.

The lockdown rules include closing all nonessential shops and service, as well as schools, while workplaces have been urged to send workers home.

Additionally; people must wear medical masks or FFP2 filter masks when entering shops or using public transport.

Hairdressers may begin to open from March 1 if they follow strict hygiene guidelines while each state may decide on how to "gradually reopen" schools and daycare centers, according to the government.