4 years ago
Germany enters into a strict lockdown amid sharp rise in covid cases.
Only essential businesses such as supermarkets and banks are allowed to remain open. Schools, restaurants, bars and non-essential businesses are closed in order to mitigate sharp rise in Covid-19 infections.
The measures will be in place until 10 January. For Christmas there has been provision to host up to four close family members from one household. Companies are being urged to allow employees to work from home amid pandemic.
Ms von der Leyen told the European Parliament the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - developed in Germany - would be introduced on the same day, more than a week earlier than anticipated.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the first Covid vaccine would be authorized for use within a week. The country reported another 952 deaths and 27,728 cases on Wednesday.
