Merkel carried out her mandate, but there is a call for the Germans

These comments, Merkel made through a video message, which is expected to be the last to issue it as German Chancellor. This call came two days after federal and state leaders decided on new measures, aimed at curbing a new wave of coronary infection.

The new measures include the exclusion of non-exited persons to visit non-elebary shops, restaurants and sports and cultural facilities. Meanwhile, parliament will consider the possibility of making the vaccine mandatory.

At least 68.9 percent of Germans are fully vaccinated, less than the Government's intention to vaccinate at least 75 percent of the population. Unexcused persons are seen as the key culprits in increasing new cases with COVID-19 over the past few weeks.

Official figures suggest the level of infection is stabilising, but is still high.

On Saturday, the German National Center for Disease Control reported on 64,510 new cases. According to this institution, in the last seven days, the level of infection in 100,000 inhabitants was 442.7 cases. Meanwhile, 378 new deaths have been recorded in the 24 hours, bringing the total number of victims since the start of the pandemic to 102,946.

“Each of them leaves behind families or friends, stunned, without words and helpless”, Merkel said.

This is a bitter situation because it's avoidable. With effective and secure vaccines, we have the key in our hands”, she added.

Merkel reiterated her call for the Germans to take the virus seriously, adding that the new version, Omitron “, seems to be more contagious than the preliminary” variants.

“It doesn't matter if you get your first dose or reinforcement. Each vaccine helps”, Merkel said.