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Parts of Germany are aiming to relax the lockdown restrictions as the number of new cases fell across the country on Wednesday, although infection rates are still high in some of the 16 federal states.
The confirmed new coronavirus cases in Germany rose by 18,034 to 3,451,550 on Wednesday, but that 24-hour number was 4,000 lower than a week ago and the seven-day incidence per 100,000 people fell from 141 on Tuesday to 132 , the lowest level in three weeks.
Laws passed last month allowed the federal government to impose night curfews in areas where cases exceed 100 per 100,000 residents for three consecutive days, and even tighter restrictions when cases are above 165 per 100,000.
Three federal states are now below the decisive threshold of 100 cases per 100,000 – Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein – while three more are close – Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The southern state of Bavaria said Tuesday it would resume outdoor eating from May 10 in areas where the incidence is below 100 and reopen the tourism sector from May 21 when that part of the country is on school holidays are, enable.
The state of Lower Saxony has also agreed to relax the catering, tourism and retail sectors for areas under 100.
Health Minister Jens Spahn called on the federal states to give priority to the opening of outdoor activities so as not to risk a new wave of infections.
The federal cabinet decided on Tuesday to relax restrictions on people fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, a decree that could come into effect over the weekend.
After a slow start, the pace of vaccination is increasing in Germany and the number of people with coronavirus who need intensive medical treatment in hospital is beginning to decrease. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, writing by Emma Thomasson, editing by Mark Heinrich)
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