Merkel is speaking at a press conference in Berlin, addressing coronavirus issues
One of Merkel's key concerns is not only people's health but getting the German economy back up and running at a greater pace.
Remarks:
- need to take steps to open up without setting ourselves back
- says vaccination is the way out of pandemic
- says want to use all flexibility to get vaccinations done
- want to extend interval between vaccines where possible
- says doctors' practices will be able to administer covid-19 vaccinations from end-march, or start of April
- agrees with State leaders on 5-step plan to ease coronavirus curbs
- we are including an emergency brake in new measures to reimpose measures if cases rise again above 100 per 100
- easing of restrictions to include retail if cases fall under 50 per 100,000
- will discuss how to proceed with hotels at meeting on April 22
Germany's restriction then will begin to ease from Monday coming.
