DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
Germany extends coronavirus lockdown until April 19
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Germany extends coronavirus lockdown until April 19

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

German farm offering video calls with alpacas during coronavirus shutdownGerman farm offering video calls with alpacas during coronavirus shutdown
Easter under lockdown: What is and isn't allowed over the holidays?Easter under lockdown: What is and isn't allowed over the holidays?
Coronavirus: How to apply for financial assistance in GermanyCoronavirus: How to apply for financial assistance in Germany
Why is the coronavirus death rate in Germany so low?Why is the coronavirus death rate in Germany so low?
Doctors in Germany report threats and aggression from vaccine opponentsDoctors in Germany report threats and aggression from vaccine opponents
Friesland: Nurse accused of swapping COVID vaccines for saline solutionFriesland: Nurse accused of swapping COVID vaccines for saline solution
Baden-Württemberg considers fines for vaccine appointment no-showsBaden-Württemberg considers fines for vaccine appointment no-shows
German hospitals facing dire financial shortfallGerman hospitals facing dire financial shortfall
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemapRSS feeds
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 2, 2020
Abi Carter

Editor in chief at IamExpat Media

Abi studied German and History at the University of Manchester and has since lived in Berlin, Hamburg and Utrecht, working since 2017 as a writer, editor and content marketeer. Although she's happily taken on some German and Dutch quirks, she keeps a stash of Yorkshire Tea on hand, because nowhere does a brew quite like home.Read more

In a decision that will surprise no one, the German government has opted to extend the nationwide coronavirus restrictions until at least April 19. Urging German residents not to travel over the Easter holidays, Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “A pandemic doesn’t take a vacation.” 

German lockdown extended until end of Easter holidays

“We have assessed the situation today and confirmed that the restrictions … will be valid up to and including April 19.” With these words, Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed that she had agreed with the leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states that the nationwide lockdown would be extended until the end of the school holidays.

The social distancing measures, which were originally slated to end on April 5, ordered the closure of all restaurants and non-essential shops and banned public gatherings of more than two people, in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Residents asked to forego Easter trips

In a telephone conference on Wednesday evening, Merkel urged German residents to reduce social contact to an absolute minimum, including during the Easter holidays. She noted that the Easter break was usually a period spent with family or for taking longer trips, but stated firmly, “That has to be different this year.” 

Merkel and the state leaders also agreed that people should not be required to wear face masks in public. After both neighbouring Austria and the German city of Jena opted to make wearing a face mask in public mandatory, there had been some speculation that the guideline would be rolled out across Germany, but this has not been realised. 

Restrictions will be reviewed again on April 14

Earlier in the day, Merkel stated that it was “much too early to think about loosening restrictions” and that it would be far worse to lift them early, since “we are still very far away from what we need to achieve.” 

The number of coronavirus cases in Germany is still rising sharply. As of Thursday morning, there were 77.981 confirmed infections in the federal republic, including 931 deaths, according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University. 

The current restrictions will be reviewed again on April 14, the Tuesday after Easter. 

By Abi Carter