Strict social distancing measures have come into force in Germany overnight just as Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel goes into self-quarantine.
As reported by Deutsche Welle Germany's new social distancing measures include:
- Public gatherings of more than two people will be banned. There will be exceptions for families and those living together.
- General contact with others should be reduced to a minimum.
- A 1.5-meter (4.9 feet) distance should be kept at all times when in public.
- Gastronomy businesses must close. Businesses offering food delivery and collection will be allowed to remain open.
- Service providers such as hair-dressers, cosmetic, massage and tattoo studios where a 2-meter distance between people is not possible must also close. Businesses and centres offering medical treatments may remain open.
- Police and other law enforcement agencies will enforce any infractions of the new rules Merkel did not state what the punishment would be for anyone not abiding by the new measures.
- Hygiene regulations must be implemented for staff in the workplace, or for visitors.
- Commuting to work, helping others and exercising alone outside will still be permissible, as long as the activities are carried out in abidance with the guidelines.
The measures will remain in place, initially for the next two weeks.
Merkel announced the new measures just before being forced into self-quarantine after coming into contact with an infected doctor.
Updated at 10:49am AEDT on 23 March 2020.