Germany is preparing to very cautiously loosen the constraints linked to the pandemic and to reopen certain businesses by betting on millions of tests to try to avoid a third wave of contamination.
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After weeks of life in slow motion, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will propose Wednesday to the heads of the regions to let go a little ballast on social contacts.
Faced with the growing weariness of the country, the leader, a supporter of a hard line in the management of the pandemic, recognized that the population "
ardently
"
wanted
a return to a more normal life, according to participants in a parliamentary meeting Tuesday.
She set the course: "
We are emerging from a long period of lockdown and we must now move forward step by step,
" according to the same sources.
As of Monday March 8, meetings will be possible between "
two homes
" but not exceeding five people in total, children under 14 not included, according to a draft resolution which AFP has had a copy of.
Until now, a household's contacts had to be limited to one outside person.
Gradual reopening
In recent weeks, Germany has already gradually and, with great care, authorized the reopening of schools after two months of closure and despite fears of a spread of the English and South African variants.
Since Monday, hairdressing salons can also wash, cut, color hair again to the delight of Germans who rushed to meet.
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The chancellor warned the deputies of her conservative party that it was necessary to remain ready to "step
on the brake
".
The government's strategy of openness wants to build on the massive practice of antigen testing, an area in which Germany still lacks efficiency.
The provision "
in large quantities
" of these rapid tests, expected shortly on the shelves of drugstores, should "
allow in the coming months to positively influence the evolution of the pandemic
", according to the document.
The goal is that by the beginning of April the entire population can test themselves regularly and free of charge.
All school and nursery staff, as well as pupils, will also be offered free antigenic tests every week, as is the case in other countries.
Companies will be involved and will have to offer tests to their employees who go to their workplace.
Voices are nevertheless being heard, especially in regions less affected by the pandemic, to demand even more flexibility, two months after the start of a vaccination campaign which should be in full swing in the coming weeks.
After accepting willy-nilly the broad restrictions - which have never led to strict confinement - the population is showing signs of impatience.
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The number of cases increased by 3,943 in 24 hours, according to data from the Institute for Public Health Surveillance REQUIS Tuesday, while the death toll crossed the threshold of 70,000 this weekend since the start of the pandemic.
