Merkel appeals to Germans to stay home for Easter to stem pandemic third wave


FILE PHOTO: Members of the medical staff in protective suits treat a patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with a computer tomograph in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Havelhoehe community hospital in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BERLIN (Reuters) -Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed to Germans on Thursday to stay at home over Easter and meet fewer people to help curb a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, as the capital Berlin announced a nighttime ban on gatherings from Friday.

"It should be a quiet Easter, with those closest to you, with very reduced contact. I urge you to refrain from all non-essential travel," Merkel said in a video message, adding this was the only way to help doctors and nurses fight the virus.

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