Covid-19: Germany to go into lockdown over Christmas period

Germany is bound to go into a strict lockdown over the Christmas period given the significantly high rate of Covid-19 infections and deaths. 

From Wednesday, schools and non-essential shops businesses and such as hair salons will close across the country. Children are to be cared for at home. 

However, essential shops and institutions such as food vendors and banks will stay open. 

Companies are being urged to allow employees to work from home.

According to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Christmas shopping has led to significant increase in social contacts.

The latest figures the country has recorded are 321 more deaths and 20,200 more infections. 

Mrs Merkel announced that the new lockdown will run from 16 December to 10 January, emphasizing that there was "an urgent need to take action."

The Chancellor had met leaders of the country's 16 states regarding the pandemic issue. 

Some areas of the country had already imposed their  lockdown 

, since November restaurants, bars and leisure centre's have been closed. 

During the strict national lockdown, care homes will be responsible for carrying out coronavirus tests. New Year events and the sale of fireworks will be banned.

The sale of fireworks and New Year events will not be permitted. 

According to Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, the government will support affected businesses by providing them with 500,000 euros (£457,000, $605,000). 

Chancellor Merkel asserted that the government shoe "prevent an overload of our health systems and that's why there is an urgent need to take action."

Currently, the total number of Covid-19 infections in Germany has surpassed 1.3 million and the total deaths stand at 21,787.