Starting Life Back in Germany Through Photos

Shops up to 800 square metres have begun operating in Germany today, but Chancellor Angela Merkel is concerned that this could increase coronavirus infections again, as the number of new cases has begun to decline.

Shops up to 800 square metres, as well as car and bicycle shops and libraries are allowed to reopen this week under an agreement with leaders from 16 German countries, while schools will be reopened within two weeks, Reuters broadcast.

( Staff at a toy store in Karlsruhe, Germany)

Federal governments and banks recommended that Germans wear masks when going to the market and traveling in public transportation.

(The main road in Loueneburg, Germany, seemed busy today as normality begins to return to Germany after the coronavirus jam)

(A client with a protective mask stands in a row of people not all wearers outside a store in Munich today)

To the east of the Czech Republic, which introduced earlier measures and one of the strictest measures in Europe, markets, artisan stores, car stores and dog salons opened.

(People walk in stores on a pedestrian road in Dortmund, Germany)

Germany's southern neighbour, Austria, took the first step in easing restrictions last Tuesday, allowing jobs in stores, garden centres, smaller stores and plans to open museums and libraries in mid-May.

(A store in Heidelberg, Germany, reopened today)

In the West, Luxembourg said similar stores should be re-opened and schools should reopen on May 4th, starting with students finishing final exams, kp follows.

(People push shopping carts into a re-opened store today in Unterhaching, the state of Bravaria)

Merkel told reporters that it will take 14 days to see if restrictive measures will increase the rate of infection and that citizens must remain vigilant and disciplined.

(People walk near a shopping mall as many smaller stores reopen in Essen, Germany)

The total number of infected rose by 1,775 to a total of 141,672 yesterday, so for the second day, the number of new cases has decreased.

Consumers keep their distance as they watch plants in a Munich store

A customer dressed in bicycle safety equipment and a mask talking to a shop owner

The gradual lifting of restrictions means that the decision to maintain social distance will remain in force until May 3rd, schools will open from May 4th with focus in recent years, as well as hair salons.

A lady dressed in a mask is seen on the main route of shopping on the first day of easing certain restrictions during the coronavirus crisis in Lueneburg, Germany