Germany heads into November 'lockdown light' to slow virus

BERLIN (AP) — German officials agreed Wednesday to a four-week shutdown of restaurants, bars, theaters and other leisure facilities in an effort to curb a rapid rise in coronavirus infections, opting for decisive action to prevent an “acute national health emergency,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

The new restrictions, widely dubbed a “lockdown light,” are set to take effect on Monday and to last until Nov. 30. They were approved during a videoconference meeting between Merkel and Germany's 16 state governors, who are responsible for imposing and lifting restrictions.

Merkel said she and the governors would review the situation after two weeks and possibly “adapt” some measures. But she was adamant that the restrictions, which she acknowledged are tough, can't be put off.

“It is completely clear that we must act, and now, to avoid an acute national health emergency," she told reporters in Berlin.

The national disease control center reported on Wednesday morning the latest in a string of daily records for new confirmed cases — 14,964, taking Germany's total to 449,275. The country of 83 million people also saw 27 more virus-related deaths, raising its death toll in the pandemic to 10,098.

Merkel said the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care doubled over the past 10 days.

“We can say that our health system can cope with the challenge today,” Merkel said. “But if the pace of infections continues like this, then we’ll reach the limits of what the health system can manage within weeks.”

Under the restrictions approved Wednesday, theaters, operas, concert halls, cinemas, saunas, gyms, swimming pools and some other sports facilities will be shut for four weeks, along with tattoo, massage and beauty parlors. Brothels and some other...