Germany Withdraws Easter Full Lockdown... Merkel Issues National Apology

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Germany has decided not to implement a full lockdown that would close all places and require everyone to stay strictly at home from April 1 to 5, Easter weekend.

Chancellor Angela Merkel reversed the results of the federal government and 16 state premiers' meeting, which had been agreed upon after 15 hours the previous day, during a public apology on the 24th (local time).

On the same day, Chancellor Merkel convened the federal government and 16 state premiers again after two days to inform them of this policy, and at a press conference said, "It was entirely my mistake," adding, "The full lockdown during Easter is not feasible in terms of time, and the costs outweigh the benefits, so we decided not to proceed." She also expressed deep regret for causing anxiety due to the confusion over the past 24 hours and asked all citizens for forgiveness.

Earlier, on the 22nd, Chancellor Merkel announced at the federal government and 16 state premiers' meeting that the period from April 1 to 5 would be designated as a "pause period," during which all businesses, shops, supermarkets, schools, childcare facilities, and churches would close, and everyone would stay at home under a full lockdown.

However, due to the tight schedule making it difficult to designate weekdays during the pause period as public holidays, Chancellor Merkel issued a public apology and withdrew the five-day full lockdown plan.

With vaccination progress in Germany still slow and the government's quarantine measures wavering, there are concerns that public dissatisfaction will further escalate.

Meanwhile, the number of new confirmed cases in Germany the previous day was 15,813, an increase of 2,378 compared to the previous week. The daily death toll was recorded at 248. The cumulative death toll has surpassed 75,000.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.