Merkel, state governors agree to extend partial shutdown

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country's 16 state governors agreed on Wednesday to extend a partial shutdown well into December in an effort to further reduce the rate of coronavirus infections ahead of the Christmas period. Germany started a so-called "wave-breaker" shutdown on Nov. 2, closing restaurants, bars, sports and leisure facilities but leaving schools, shops and hair salons open.

It was initially slated to last four weeks. Merkel said now the measures will be extended until Dec. 20. One major new restriction stipulates that only up to five people from two households, not including young children, can meet, except over the Christmas period when the number will be increased to ten. Merkel said that the existing measures have succeeded in halting an upward surge in new coronavirus infections.