Graphic shows Covid infections in countries around Germany.
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By Duncan Mil

January 21, 2021 - Chancellor A. Merkel has warned that Germany could close border crossings to halt the spread of coronavirus strains. Germany, which is part of Europe’s Schengen free-travel zone, shares borders with nine other European countries.

Germany’s contagion rates have fallen to the lowest since early November, but remain more than double the government target. Europe’s largest economy extended lockdown curbs to February 14 on Tuesday. Still, it stopped short of a nationwide curfew and a complete closure of schools.

According to Johns Hopkins University, Germany has recorded more than two million coronavirus cases, and fatalities have surpassed 50,000.

Authorities are concerned that fast-spreading, more transmissible strains of the virus could trigger a surge similar to Britain where hospitals are under massive stress. The UK has experienced over three million Covid cases and almost 93,500 deaths.

Germany has proposed to the European Union that member states should ban all UK residents from entering their countries, according to a proposal seen by The Times of London.

The proposal suggests that member states impose temporary bans on entry from non-EU “countries with virus variant areas.”

Merkel will participate in a virtual meeting of European Union leaders later on Thursday (January 21) and is said to back the proposal which is almost certain to be agreed.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 21/01/2021; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
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