Germany is going into what is being described as a hard five-day lockdown over Easter, as the country battles a sharp rise in new COVID-19 infections.
This decision was announced on Tuesday by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Almost all shops will be closed over the Easter period from April 1 to 5, and no more than five people over the age of 14 from two households can gather.
Grocery stores will be allowed to open for one day only - Saturday, April 3.
Chancellor Merkel added that country's general lockdown measures will also be extended until April 18.
Germans have been living under various levels of restrictions since mid-December.
The country's public health authority on Tuesday reported 7,485 new infections and 250 deaths over a 24-hour period. The daily infection number is 2,000 cases higher than it was a week ago. More than 108 people in every 100,000 are now getting infected every week.
“For five days in a row the principle is: we will stay at home," Merkel said.
Germany has recorded more than 74,000 Covid-19 deaths since the pandemic began is experiencing a third wave of infections.
Merkel also said the newer UK variant was making it more difficult for the country to control the spread of the virus.
SOURCE: CNN