Germany to reopen shops, schools, begin football games

Chancellor Angela Merkel has agreed to reopen all shops as part of a deal with the leaders of Germany’s 16 states to ease restrictions on society.

General contact rules will continue for another month. Schools are likely to reopen gradually this term and Bundesliga football is expected to be given the green light to restart.

The states have agreed to take control of timing the reopening.

They will also have to react fast to any new surge in infections.

A limited resumption has already begun, but this would be far more widespread.

Two households will be able to meet and eat together under the easing of restrictions, according to reports from the talks.

Germany has seen fewer than 7,000 deaths in the coronavirus pandemic – a much lower figure than seen in other Western European countries including the UK, Italy, France and Spain.