Germany’s New Coronavirus Cases Dip, Holding Below 2,000 Level

(Bloomberg) --

The number of new coronavirus cases in Germany dipped, holding below 2,000 for the seventh straight day, as the government moves to relax some lockdown measures.

There were 1,470 additional infections in the 24 hours through Friday morning, taking the total to 163,009, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Fatalities rose by 156 to 6,623 and the death rate increased slightly to 4.1% from 4% a day earlier.

On Thursday, Germany announced it will allow playgrounds, zoos, museums and churches to reopen but will maintain travel restrictions and most other curbs on public life.

Large events, restaurants and daycare facilities will remain off limits for the time being, Chancellor Angela Merkel said after meeting with the heads of Germany’s 16 states. Bigger moves to ease the country’s lockdown will be evaluated at a gathering on May 6, when the policy makers will have more reliable data on the effects of initial steps that started on April 20.

Meanwhile, in the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged a “comprehensive plan” to lift the lockdown that has crippled the economy, as he declared the U.K. has now passed the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.