Germany it to impose a strict lockdown for five days over Easter as Covid-19 infections spiral "exponentially". Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered the nationwide measures after marathon talks with regional leaders, warning a potent strain of coronavirus in the country. "The situation is serious," Ms Merkel said. "Case numbers are rising exponentially and intensive care beds are filling up again." A variant first identified in the UK has become the dominant strain circulating in Germany, she said, adding that "we are in a new pandemic". "Essentially, we have a new virus...
it is much deadlier, much more infectious and infectious for much longer." Cultural, leisure and sporting facilities will stay closed through to 18 April, and a lockdown