German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday announced a five-day closure over Easter, citing a sharp rise in new coronavirus infections.
"We know that the current emergency measures will not be sufficient to stop the exponential growth," Merkel said, according to CNN.
"That's why the 1st of April, Maundy Thursday, and the 3rd of April will be declared rest days this year with expanded contact restrictions and a ban on gatherings from the first to the fifth of April. That means expanded closures over Easter. For five days in a row the principle is: we will stay at home."