Despite positive developments in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned that the pandemic has only just begun. She also said Germany should be prepared to open its pocketbook to help the EU.

The decision to impose restrictions on public life in the face of the coronavirus outbreak was one of the hardest choices of her chancellorship, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told German lawmakers on Thursday.

“This pandemic is an imposition to democracy,” Merkel said.

Last week Germany extended until May 3 most of the restrictions it had imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, though some shops have reopened and older school children will be allowed to return to class.

The measures have thus far contributed to Germany being able to avoid overwhelming its health care system with coronavirus patients.

Still at the beginning of the pandemic

But the chancellor cautioned not to be too hasty in a return to normal life.

“We’re not living in the final phase of the pandemic, but still at the beginning,” she said. “We will be living with this virus for a long time.”

Merkel called for lawmakers and the people of Germany to have patience and discipline now in order to avoid a potential catastrophe were the economy to reopen too soon. Disciple now would result in a quicker return to normal economic activity, she said.

Source:dw.com/en/coronavirus