German Health Chief Defends Easing as Covid Cases Hit Record

Germany’s top health official defended the decision to lift most coronavirus restrictions this weekend even as new infections hit another record on Friday.

Germany began easing pandemic curbs last month and most of the remaining measures will expire on Saturday. Updated legislation due to be approved Friday in parliament gives the 16 federal states powers to intervene to tackle Covid hot spots, with masks will only compulsory on public transport and in hospitals and care homes.