Merkel Defends New German Curbs to Tamp Down Virus ‘Drama’
- Parliamentary speech interrupted by outbursts from lawmakers
- Chancellor says ‘lies and hate’ damage fight against pandemic
Angela Merkel secured an agreement on Wednesday with leaders of the country’s 16 states to impose a month-long partial shutdown, starting Monday.
Photographer: Fabrizio Bensch/AFP via Getty Images
Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her decision to once again severely limit movement in Germany, saying the country is in a “dramatic situation” as the rapid spread of the coronavirus stretches health-care services to their limit.
Authorities are no longer able to track infections back to their source and that leads to an exponential growth, which must be stopped, Merkel told lawmakers in the German parliament on Thursday. If the nation waits to act until intensive care units are full, it will be too late, she added, warning of “four long and difficult winter months” ahead.