On Monday, many German states announced loosened coronavirus restrictions, which have been in place for months, including allowing people from one household to meet with those from another.
DW.com reported, however, that in many instances, restrictions are still in place. For example, these newly-approved gatherings must be limited to five adults, the report said.
Germany is Europe’s largest economy, and many in the country have criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel for being too cautious when it comes to the coronavirus and lockdowns.
Two weeks ago, its Finance Ministry, according to Reuters, said,
“The continuing measures to contain the spread of the virus… as well as sentiment indicators suggest that for the next few weeks, overall economic development is expected to remain subdued.”
The report stated that “tax revenues fell by 11.1 percent on the year in January” due to the fallout from the coronavirus.
A report by CGTN news said that on 8 March 2020, Germany suffered its first death due to COVID-19. The report stated Merkel addressed the nation at the time, and she said the country faced its most serious challenge since WWII.
TREND FORECAST: Christian Schweiger, a visiting professor in the Institute for Political Science at Chemnitz University of Technology, told the outlet,
“People see that as very critical. Basically taking away freedoms that are constitutionally guaranteed in Germany without discussing why and how and for how long. In Germany, there is always the superior referee above everything is the Federal Constitutional Court. It hasn’t made any major ruling on this, but I expect there will be something coming. People will ask the Federal Court to rule.”
There will be growing public resistance to COVID lockdowns. As spring sets in and the weather warms, more nations will lessen COVID restrictions, not only to quell public dissent but to generate taxable income and reverse declining economies.
