Germany Bans Groups of More Than 2 to Stop Coronavirus as Merkel Self-Isolates

Some German cities have needed no prompting to clamp down.

In Freiburg, near Germany’s southwestern border with Alsace, France, the virus has been particularly aggressive in its spread, and local officials last week barred groups of people from gathering in public spaces.

Still, some other Germans have taken a far more cavalier, even defiant, approach.

There have been reports of “corona parties” held by youths in different corners of Germany, causing alarm among the authorities in a country better known for its citizens’ adherence to the rules. Some of the parties, where youths in large groups drank alcohol and chanted, “Corona, corona,” had to be broken up by the police.

On Wednesday, Ms. Merkel, in a somber address to the nation, asked Germans to avoid social contact in a spirit of solidarity with those most at risk in society. A day later, her chief of staff, Helge Braun, issued a sterner warning.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/world/europe/germany-coronavirus-budget.html