Fears are growing in Germany for a second wave of coronavirus, with the country reporting a further increase in the rate of coronavirus infection, a few weeks after it began to ease blockade restrictions.
Over the weekend, the country's virus reproduction rate reached 1.13, but fell slightly on Monday to 1.07. Since the so-called R rate exceeds the threshold of 1.00 in both cases, the old blocking measures could be re-imposed to avoid a new outbreak.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced last week that an "emergency brake" would be imposed if daily cases exceeded 50 per 100,000 population. This would mean that more stringent measures could be applied again to reduce the rate of infection.
"The increase in the number of R reproductions means that development must be followed very closely in the coming days," the German pandemic monitor, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), wrote on Monday.
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The news came as the country started its economy, with some states allowing gyms and sports venues to open on Monday, and others reopening restaurants under certain conditions and easing restrictions on public gatherings. Shops, playgrounds, churches and high schools had already reopened.
Merkel urged citizens of the country to abide by "ground rules", that is, social distancing and masks when necessary, while on Monday Germany is entering a "new phase" with its response to the pandemic.
So far, the country's efforts to contain the spread of the virus have been lauded, as Germany has imposed an early stop and launched massive testing programs, successfully keeping the death toll relatively low.
Merkel's call came amid increasing pressure as anti-blockade protesters take to the streets across the country, calling for an end to restrictions on the coronavirus. As extremist groups and conspiracy theorists gain ground amid the pandemic, German lawmakers have stressed the need to both protect the right to demonstrate and to fight the spread of conspiracy theories and news. false.