COVID-19 pandemic in Germany#Lockdown

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.elsevier.com/connect/coronavirus-information-center |title=Novel Coronavirus Information Center |last=Elsevier |website=Elsevier Connect|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130171622/https://www.elsevier.com/connect/coronavirus-information-center|archive-date=30 January 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}}{{#invoke:Cite news||last=Reynolds |first=Matt |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus |title=What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic? |date=4 March 2020 |magazine=Wired UK|access-date=5 March 2020 |issn=1357-0978|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305104806/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus|archive-date=5 March 2020|url-status=live}}

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 is lower than SARS of 2003,{{#invoke:Cite web||url= https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196137/crunching-numbers-coronavirus/ |title=Crunching the numbers for coronavirus |website=Imperial News|date= 13 March 2020 |access-date=15 March 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200319084913/https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196137/crunching-numbers-coronavirus/|archive-date=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/high-consequence-infectious-diseases-hcid |title=High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200303051938/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/high-consequence-infectious-diseases-hcid|archive-date=3 March 2020|access-date=17 March 2020}} but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.{{#invoke:Cite web||url= https://www.wfsahq.org/resources/coronavirus |title=World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus |website=wfsahq.org|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200312233527/https://www.wfsahq.org/resources/coronavirus|archive-date=12 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020}}

In the implementation of federal and state guidelines to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Infection Protection Act ({{lang|de|Infektionsschutzgesetz}}, IfSG) has played a central role. Enacted in 2000, the IfSG authorises state governments to issue regulations to control communicable diseases, and to order protective measures including quarantine, thus granting them considerable power in relation to the federal government,{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theregreview.org/2020/05/13/saurer-covid-19-cooperative-administrative-federalism-germany/|title=COVID-19 and Cooperative Administrative Federalism in Germany|first=Johannes|last=Saurer|work=The Regulatory Review|date=13 May 2020|access-date=17 December 2020}} whose primary task is to coordinate the measures taken.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/coronavirus-quarantaene-und-eingeschraenkte-rechte-115877/|title=Coronavirus, Quarantäne und eingeschränkte Rechte|work=Pharmazeutische Zeitung (www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de)|date=26 February 2020|access-date=3 April 2021}}

Pressure by state premiers repeatedly forced Chancellor Merkel to soften anti-pandemic measures.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-coronavirus-measures-masks/a-54714744|title=Germany imposes tougher measures to curb coronavirus|first=Thomas|last=Sparrow|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=27 August 2020|access-date=10 January 2021}}

In March 2020, the federal government drafted a change to the IfSG to allow the federal government more power over the federal states. Among others it would allow the health ministry to prohibit border crossings, track the contacts of infected persons and enlist doctors, medicine students and other health care workers in the efforts against an infectious disease.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/bund-will-laender-in-der-corona-bekaempfung-entmachten-16689784.html |title=Bund will Länder in der Corona-Bekämpfung entmachten |date=21 March 2020 |access-date=21 March 2020 |work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |language=de |author-last=Geinitz |author-first=Christian}}{{subscription required}} A condition for use of the additional powers is the determination of an epidemic situation of national significance (:de:Epidemische Lage von nationaler Tragweite). The Bundestag made this determination on 25 March, the same day it approved the amendments to the IfSG.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2020/03/25/bundestag-stellt-epidemische-lage-von-nationaler-tragweite-fest|work=Deutsche Apothekerzeitung (DAZ.Online)|date=25 March 2020|access-date=3 January 2021| title=Bundestag stellt "epidemische Lage von nationaler Tragweite" fest}} The amendments became law on 27 March. The determination was extended repeatedly, for the fourth time on 25{{nbsp}}August 2021 for tentatively three months.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/corona-update/Coronavirus-Das-Corona-Update-vom-25-August-id60407381.html|title=Das Corona-Update vom 25. August|first=Anna|last=Hell|work=Augsburger Allgemeine|date=25 August 2021|access-date=25 August 2021|language=de}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-corona-115.html|title=Bundestag verlängert "epidemische Lage"|website=tagesschau.de|date=25 August 2021|access-date=25 August 2021|language=de}} In a 11 November Bundestag debate, chancellor-in-waiting Olaf Scholz pushed for the state of emergency to end on 25 November as scheduled; in justification of this measure, which was expected to go ahead, fellow Social Democrat Dirk Wiese said that "lockdowns for the entire republic and de-facto occupational bans ... we no longer consider proportionate". On the same occasion, Scholz called for parliamentary support for a catalogue of new measures that would replace the state of emergency.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/11/germany-olaf-scholz-defends-plan-phase-out-covid-state-of-emergency|title=Scholz pushes new measures to tackle Germany's rising Covid cases|first=Philip|last=Oltermann|work=The Guardian|date=11 November 2021|access-date=17 November 2021}}

On 18 November 2020, a reform of the IfSG which had been proposed by the ruling Grand coalition was passed in the Bundestag with 415 votes in favour, 236 against, and eight abstentions. The regulations of the law include a specification of the scope of measures which may be taken by individual states to combat a health emergency such as the current pandemic. The purpose of the law was to put measures that had been previously enacted by decree on a more firm legal basis. It also addressed complaints from across the political spectrum about what they saw as diminished role of the parliament. The opposition parties in parliament remained dissatisfied with the reformed law.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-can-germanys-infection-protectionlaw-be-compared-to-the-nazis-enabling-act/a-55649748|title=Coronavirus: Can Germany's infection protection law be compared to the Nazis' 'Enabling Act?' |publisher=Deutsche Welle|first=Peter|last=Hille|date=18 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/de/bundestag-beschlie%C3%9Ft-neues-infektionsschutzgesetz/a-55641005|title=Bundestag beschließt neues Infektionsschutzgesetz|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=18 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020|language=de}}

A further revision of the IfSG came into force on 22 April 2021, allowing the federal government to mandate curfews from 24 April.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germanys-emergency-brake-rules-take-effect/a-57321750|title=Coronavirus: Germany's 'emergency brake' rules take effect|website=Deutsche Welle|agency=Deutsche Welle|date=24 April 2021|access-date=3 October 2021}}

File:460-0095-COVID-19 7-2021-hinnerk-ruemenapf.jpg during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany]]

Germany has a common National Pandemic Plan,{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Ergaenzung_Pandemieplan_Covid.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |title=Ergänzung zum Nationalen Pandemieplan – COVID-19 – neuartige Coronaviruserkrankung |website=rki.de |publisher=Robert Koch Institute |access-date=4 March 2020|language=de}} which describes the responsibilities and measures of the health care system actors in case of a huge epidemic. Epidemic control is executed both by the federal authorities such as Robert Koch Institute and by the German states. The German states have their own epidemic plans. On 4 March, the RKI published an extension of the national plan, which it had produced in collaboration with several other entities, for the handling of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Four major targets are included in this plan:

• Reduce morbidity and mortality
• Ensure treatment of infected persons
• Upkeep of essential public services
• Reliable and accurate information for decision-makers, medical professionals, media and public

The plan has three stages, which might eventually overlap due to regional differences in the evolution of the pandemic:

• Containment (circumstances of dedicated cases and clusters)
• Protection (circumstances of further spreading infections and unknown sources of infections)
• Mitigation (circumstances of widespread infections)

In the containment stage health authorities are focusing on identifying contact persons who are put in personal quarantine and are monitored and tested. Personal quarantine is overseen by the local health agencies. By doing so, authorities are trying to keep infection chains short, leading to curtailed clusters. As of 4 March 2020, the pandemic was managed in the containment stage. In the protection stage the strategy will change to using direct measures to protect vulnerable persons from becoming infected. The mitigation stage will eventually try to avoid spikes of intensive treatment in order to maintain medical services.

As early as January 2020, the German Bundestag was fully informed about the dangers of the global spread of a coronavirus pandemic. A risk analysis predicted how dangerous a global coronavirus outbreak could be. It stated that "children [...] have [...] minor disease progressions" and that the risk of death of "over-65-year-olds [is] at 50%". It further stated that a "vaccine" is "unavailable", so all the more important is the "use of protective equipment such as protective masks, goggles and gloves". But until 24 March, the {{ill|Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance|de|Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe}} (BBK) had never set up appropriate stores or had talks with manufacturers and suppliers to prepare for such a situation, was the criticism of some experts.{{#invoke:Cite news||title=Versäumte Pandemie-Vorsorge |date=24 March 2020 |work=ZDF Frontal 21 |language=de |author-first1=Andreas |author-last1=Halbach |author-first2=Thomas |author-last2=Münten |author-first3=Heiko |author-last3=Rahms}}

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File:Corona-Testzentrum in Sindelfingen 08.jpg, Baden-Württemberg. Viral throat swabs are taken in a tent outside to avoid contaminating the laboratory.|alt=]]

On 25 February, a 25-year-old man from Göppingen, Baden-Württemberg, who had recently returned from Milan, Italy, tested positive and was treated in Klinik am Eichert.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-germany-idUSKBN20J2K2 |title=Man infected with coronavirus in Germany after Italy trip -state ministry |date=25 February 2020 |work=Reuters |access-date=25 February 2020 }} On 26 February, Baden-Württemberg confirmed three new cases. The 24-year-old girlfriend of the 25-year-old man from Göppingen and her 60-year-old father, who worked as a chief physician at University Hospital Tübingen, tested positive and were admitted to the same hospital in Tübingen.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.swp.de/suedwesten/staedte/reutlingen/coronavirus-tuebingen-zwei-bestaetigte-infektionen-mit-dem-corona-virus-am-uniklinikum-tuebingen-44066663.html |title=Coronavirus Tübingen: Zwei bestätigte Infektionen am Uniklinikum Tübingen |date=26 February 2020| website =Südwest Presse Online-Dienste |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.coronavirus-in-tuebingen-ein-coronavirus-patient-ist-oberarzt-am-klinikum.1c316472-18b5-49b4-8759-2df4d433a245.html |title=Ein Coronavirus-Patient ist Oberarzt am Klinikum |date=26 February 2020 |website=stuttgarter-zeitung.de |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}} A 32-year-old man from Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg, who had visited Codogno, Italy with his family on 23 February, tested positive and was admitted to a hospital for isolation.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://sozialministerium.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/presse/pressemitteilung/pid/neuer-bestaetigter-fall-von-corona-in-rottweil/ |title=Neuer bestätigter Fall von Corona in Rottweil |date=26 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}

On 27 February, Baden-Württemberg confirmed four new cases, for a total of eight cases in the region. Two women and a man from Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and Freiburg, respectively, tested positive. They had had contact with an Italian participant at a business meeting in Munich; he was subsequently tested positive in Italy. A man from the district of Böblingen, who had had contact with the travel companion of the patient from Göppingen, also tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://bnn.de/nachrichten/suedwestecho/vier-weitere-coronavirus-faelle-in-baden-wuerttemberg |title=Vier weitere Coronavirus-Fälle in Baden-Württemberg |date=27 February 2020 |website=Badische Neueste Nachrichten |language=de-DE |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423042605/https://bnn.de/nachrichten/suedwestecho/vier-weitere-coronavirus-faelle-in-baden-wuerttemberg |archive-date=23 April 2020 |url-status=dead }}

On 28 February, Baden-Württemberg confirmed five new cases, bringing the total number of cases in the state to thirteen. A man from Ludwigsburg with flu symptoms who had tested negative for influenza virus was automatically tested for SARS-CoV-2 and confirmed positive. A man from Rhine-Neckar returning from a short ski holiday with mild cold symptoms checked himself in to the emergency department of the University Hospital Heidelberg and tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://twitter.com/MSI_BW/status/1233333090896039936 |title=Announcement of 2 new corona cases in Baden-Württemberg on twitter |language=de-DE |access-date=28 February 2020}}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} A 32-year-old man in Heilbronn tested positive and was admitted to a hospital. He had been in Milan on 21 February and fallen ill with flu symptoms on 23 February.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://twitter.com/MSI_BW/status/1233438797477621763/photo/1 |title=In Baden-Württemberg wurde am Freitagnachmittag ein weiterer bestätigter #COVID2019 -Fall im Landkreis #Heilbronn bekannt. Damit steigt die Zahl in Baden-Württemberg auf 13.pic.twitter.com/SnQ0UqctaX |last=BW |first=Ministerium für Soziales und Integration |date=28 February 2020 |website=@MSI_BW |language=de |access-date=28 February 2020}}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} A man from Nuremberg who was in Karlsruhe on business was admitted to the Karlsruhe City Hospital after testing positive. His family in Nuremberg was also ill with respiratory symptoms.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.durlacher.de/start/neuigkeiten-archiv/artikel/2020/februar/28/erster-corona-fall-in-karlsruhe-bestaetigt-patient-im-staedtischen-klinikum|title=Erster Corona-Fall in Karlsruhe bestätigt – Patient im Städtischen Klinikum|date=28 February 2020|website=durlacher.de |language=de |access-date=11 December 2020}} A man from Breisgau who had travelled to Bergamo, Italy also tested positive and underwent isolation.

After the ease of lockdown, a group of Germans who had been working in China was allowed to return. On arrival in Tianjin on 29 May 2020, Chinese authorities tested a 34-year-old engineer from Blaustein positive for the coronavirus. A test on departure in Frankfurt had shown no infection.[https://www.swp.de/suedwesten/staedte/ulm/corona-deutschland-aktuell-flug-nach-tianjin-china-sonderflug-der-deutschen-wirtschaft-mann-aus-blaustein-mit-coronavirus-infiziert-46684588.html Tobias Knaack : "Infektionsfall bestätigt – Mann aus Blaustein auf Flug nach China positiv getestet"] swp.de 1 June 2020

On 27 January 2020, the Bavarian Ministry of Health announced that a 52-year-old employee of Webasto, a German car parts supplier at Starnberg, Bavaria had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He contracted the infection from a Chinese colleague who had received a visit in Shanghai from her parents from Wuhan.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.thelocal.de/20200205/coronavirus-in-bavaria-how-did-the-virus-spread |title=Coronavirus in Bavaria: How the German state is dealing with the spread of the virus |website=thelocal.de |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}} His was the first known case of a person contracting the virus outside of China from a non-relative – the first known transmission of the virus outside China being father to son in Vietnam.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://m.dw.com/en/germany-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus/a-52169007 |title=Germany confirms first case of coronavirus |website=Deutsche Welle |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=28 January 2020}}

On 28 January, three more cases were confirmed, a 27-year-old and a 40-year-old man as well as a 33-year-old woman. All three were also employees of Webasto. They were monitored and quarantined at the München Hospital in Schwabing.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/drei-weitere-coronavirus-faelle-in-bayern-zusammenhang-mit-dem-ersten-fall-bayerns/ |title=Drei weitere Coronavirus-Fälle in Bayern – Zusammenhang mit dem ersten Fall – Bayerns Gesundheitsministerin Huml: Am Mittwoch sollen vorsichtshalber rund 40 Personen getestet werden |date=28 January 2020 |website=Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Gesundheit und Pflege |language=de |access-date=29 January 2020}}

On 30 January, a man from Siegsdorf who worked for the same company tested positive;{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-2/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern- Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Jetzt insgesamt sechs Fälle |date=31 January 2020 |language=de |access-date=31 January 2020}} on 31 January and 3 February respectively, both his children tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-8/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Jetzt insgesamt neun Fälle |date=3 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202071415/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-8/ |archive-date=2 February 2020 |access-date=4 February 2020}} His wife also tested positive on 6 February.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-13/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Jetzt insgesamt elf Fälle |date=6 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206131847/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-13/ |archive-date=6 February 2020 |access-date=6 February 2020}} A 52-year-old Webasto employee from Fürstenfeldbruck tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-4/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern- Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Ein neuer Fall im Landkreis Fürstenfeldbruck bestätigt |date=31 January 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201095232/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-4/ |archive-date=1 February 2020 |access-date=1 February 2020}}

On 1 February, a 33-year-old Webasto employee living in Munich tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-8/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: 8. Fall bestätigt – 33-Jähriger Mann aus München |date=1 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202071415/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-8/ |archive-date=2 February 2020 |access-date=4 February 2020}} On 3 February, another employee was confirmed positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-10/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Jetzt insgesamt zehn Fälle |date=3 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203205357/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-10/ |archive-date=3 February 2020 |access-date=4 February 2020}} On 7 February, the wife of a previously diagnosed man tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-14/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Jetzt insgesamt zwölf Fälle |date=7 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=8 February 2020}} On 11 February, a 49-year-old Webasto employee tested positive, as did a family member of a previously diagnosed employee.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-16/ |title=Aktuelle Informationen zur Coronavirus-Lage in Bayern – Bayerisches Gesundheitsministerium: Weiterhin insgesamt 14 bestätigte Coronavirus-Fälle in Bayern |date=12 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221024432/https://www.stmgp.bayern.de/presse/aktuelle-informationen-zur-coronavirus-lage-in-bayern-bayerisches-gesundheitsministerium-16/ |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020}}

According to reconstruction analysis published in September 2020, the outbreak at Webasto had not seeded the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, with the evidence pointing instead to the latter outbreak having been initiated by cases imported directly from China.{{#invoke:Cite journal||last1= Worobey |first1=Michael |last2=Pekar |first2=Jonathan |last3=Larsen|first3=Brendan B.|last4=Nelson|first4=Martha I.|display-authors=etal|date= 10 September 2020 |title=The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe and North |journal= Science|volume= 369|issue= 6510|pages=564–570 |doi= 10.1126/science.abc8169 |pmid=32912998 |pmc=7810038 |doi-access=free}}

On 27 February, Bavaria confirmed that a man from Middle Franconia tested positive after he had contact with an Italian man who later tested positive as well.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.web24.news/2020/02/bavaria-also-reports-another-new-corona-virus-case.html |title=Bavaria also reports another new corona virus case |last=admin |date=27 February 2020 |website=Web24 News |access-date=28 February 2020}}

On 8 March, an 83-year-old resident of the St. Nikolaus home of the elderly in Würzburg was brought into hospital and died four days later diagnosed with COVID-19, becoming the first reported death of the virus in Bavaria.{{#invoke:Cite news||last=Duhm |first=Lisa |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/coronavirus-in-wuerzburger-pflegeheim-wenn-covid-19-die-schwaechsten-trifft-a-9ae9eef1-aed9-434d-8290-037738a90530 |title=Wenn Corona die Schwächsten trifft |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020 |work=Der Spiegel}} By 27 March, ten more residents of the St. Nikolaus home of the elderly had also died of the virus and 44 residents and 32 employees tested positive. The residency complained about a lack of personnel and protective equipment.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Wuerzburger-Seniorenheim-bittet-um-Hilfe-article21674604.html |title=Würzburger Seniorenheim bittet um Hilfe |date=27 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020 |agency=ntv.de, jwu/dpa}}

On 12 August 2020, Bavarian health authorities admitted that they had not yet informed over 44,000 returning travellers about the results of their COVID-19 tests, mostly taken at mobile testing centres at highways. It was believed that there had been over 900 positive cases among these. The government explained the glitch with missing software and an unexpected large number of volunteers tested.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/corona-bayern-rueckblick-august-1.4997991|title=Die Corona-Krise in Bayern – der Monat August|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=16 August 2020|access-date=12 January 2021|language=de}} Health Minister Melanie Huml reportedly offered her resignation to premier Soeder, whose decision to leave her in office was met with sharp criticism by the parliamentary opposition.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/nach-test-debakel-huml-will-doch-erst-am-sonntag-informieren,S7kUr9b|title=Nach Test-Debakel: Huml will heute informieren|work=Bayerischer Rundfunk|date=16 August 2020|access-date=12 January 2021|language=de}} In January 2021, Huml was moved to a position in the Bavarian State Chancellery.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/bayern-huml-lob-spd-1.5170497|title=Die SPD glaubt ganz fest an Melanie Huml|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=12 January 2021|access-date=12 January 2021|language=de}}

From 18 January 2021, pursuant to a 12 January decision, Bavaria made the wearing of FFP2 masks mandatory on public transport and in supermarkets, excepting bus drivers, ticket inspectors, and children aged up to 14 years. The new rule would not be policed until 24 January. The Bavarian government said it would provide masks free of charge to low-income groups and social welfare recipients.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/18/germany-weighs-up-mandatory-ffp2-masks-in-shops-and-on-transport|title=Germany weighs up mandatory FFP2 masks in shops and on transport|first=Philip|last=Oltermann|work=The Guardian|date=18 January 2021|access-date=19 January 2021}}{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/bayern/article224277038/Bayern-verteilt-FFP2-Masken-an-Beduerftige.html|title=Bayern verteilt FFP2-Masken an Bedürftige|work=Die Welt|date=13 January 2021|access-date=19 January 2021|language=de}}

Due to the number of occupied intensive care beds reaching 609 on 8 November 2021, thereby exceeding the threshold of 600, the Corona-Ampel (corona traffic light) jumped to red in the state, triggering a tightening of pandemic restrictions. It had been green just days earlier. With immediate effect, access to gyms and sports facilities, as well as museums and cultural facilities, was reduced from that under the 3G rule, covering the fully vaccinated, the recovered, or those who had recently tested negative, to the 2G rule, which excluded the third mentioned group. Only to those under the age of 12, for which age group no COVID-19 vaccine had been approved, would the 3G rule still applied, as well as to discretionary cases on medical grounds. Restaurants, hairdressers, universities and libraries were to continue to apply the 3G rule.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/corona-ampel-auf-rot-strengere-regeln-in-bayern-ab-dienstag|title=Corona-Ampel auf Rot: Strengere Regeln in Bayern ab Dienstag|first=Petr|last=Jerabek|agency=Bayerischer Rundfunk|date=8 November 2021|access-date=8 November 2021|language=de}}

File:Playground Lankwitz Berlin 1 April 2020.jpg, Berlin]]

The first case detected in the capital, Berlin, was reported on 2 March 2020.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Fallzahlen.html |title=Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Case numbers in Germany, China and Worldwide |website=rki.de |publisher=Robert Koch Institute |access-date=15 March 2020}} On 17 March, the government of Berlin announced plans to open a 1,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 patients on the grounds of Messe Berlin in the Westend locality of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-to-build-1000-bed-coronavirus-hospital/a-52811671 |title=Berlin to build 1,000-bed coronavirus hospital |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=2 April 2020}} The hospital opened on 11 May 2020.{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Corona-Reservekrankenhaus in der Messehalle eröffnet |url=https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/thema/2020/coronavirus/beitraege_neu/2020/05/berlin-corona-behandlungszentrum-reserve-krankenhaus-jaffestrasse-messe-eroeffnung.html |publisher=Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg |access-date=18 May 2020 |language=de |date=11 May 2020}}

On November 15, 2021, Berlin banned unvaccinated citizens from restaurants, bars, cinemas and other entertainment venues, and now require them to present a negative COVID test to travel by bus or train. The measures have been implemented due to the largest increase in case counts to date.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/11/europe/berlin-unvaccinated-rules-germany-covid-intl-grm/index.html|title=Berlin bans unvaccinated from entertainment venues, as Germany battles record-breaking Covid cases|first1=Rob|last1=Picheta|first2=Nadine|last2=Schmidt|website=CNN|agency=CNN News|date=11 November 2021|access-date=26 November 2021}}{{#invoke:Cite web||access-date=26 November 2021|date=15 November 2021|first=Laurenz|last=Gehrke|title=Prospective German government eyes coronavirus lockdown for the unvaccinated|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/prospective-german-government-flirts-with-lockdown-for-the-non-vaccinated/|work=Politico}}

In January 2022, a spokesman of the Berlin government told Reuters that public services including transportation, police and child care were reshuffling operations to cope with an increasing number of staff in quarantine.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-health-minister-sees-possible-tripling-coronavirus-infections-by-mid-feb-2022-01-21/|title=German health min sees possible tripling of COVID infections by mid-Feb -sources|first1=Kirsti|last1=Knolle|first2=Riham|last2=Alkousaa|work=Reuters|date=21 January 2022|access-date=21 January 2022}}

File:RI001812 (49669981468).jpg in Hamburg on 17 March]]

Hamburg's first case, a male paediatric member of staff at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, was confirmed on 27 February.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-updates-hamburg-confirms-first-case-as-us-european-markets-tumble/a-52549401 |title=Coronavirus updates: Hamburg confirms first case as US, European markets tumble {{!}} DW {{!}} 27 February 2020 |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=28 February 2020}} {{As of|2020|03|15|df=yes}}, there are 196 active cases.

On 28 February, Hesse officials confirmed three new cases in Lahn-Dill, Hochtaunuskreis and Giessen. The cases in Lahn-Dill and Giessen were linked to the cluster in NRW, and the case in Hochtaunuskreis to the one in Lahn-Dill.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.hessenschau.de/panorama/dritter-corona-fall-in-hessen---spur-fuehrt-nach-nordrhein-westfalen,coronafall-hochtaunus-100.html |title=Frau im Kreis Gießen erkrankt – Spur führt nach Nordrhein-Westfalen |last=Germany |first=hessenschau de, Frankfurt |date=29 February 2020 |website=hessenschau.de |language=de |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229061925/https://www.hessenschau.de/panorama/dritter-corona-fall-in-hessen---spur-fuehrt-nach-nordrhein-westfalen,coronafall-hochtaunus-100.html |url-status=dead }}

After the ease of lockdown for religious groups on 1 May,[https://www.hessenschau.de/gesellschaft/ueber-100-covid-19-infektionen-gottesdienst-besucher-sangen-und-trugen-keine-schutzmasken,corona-ausbruch-baptisten-reaktion-gemeinde-100.html "Gottesdienst-Besucher sangen und trugen keine Schutzmasken"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526060637/https://www.hessenschau.de/gesellschaft/ueber-100-covid-19-infektionen-gottesdienst-besucher-sangen-und-trugen-keine-schutzmasken,corona-ausbruch-baptisten-reaktion-gemeinde-100.html |date=26 May 2020 }} hessenschau.de, 28 April 2020 a church service on 10 May in Frankfurt led to a cluster that grew to 112 cases by 25 May. The service was later determined to have breached several regulations, including those that the major churches had given themselves. The church evaded penalties through participation in a study by the RKI, whose scientists had expressed great interest in studying the outbreak in detail. All of the infected had recovered by 24 June.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/corona-keine-strafe-fuer-frankfurter-baptisten-gemeinde-16829065.html|title=Keine Strafe für Frankfurter Baptisten-Gemeinde|first=Tobias|last=Rössmann|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=24 June 2020|access-date=16 January 2021|language=de}}

On 1 March 2020, Lower Saxony reported its first case. After the ease of lockdown in early May 2020 about 40 people met on 15 May for a private party in a restaurant in Moormerland. By 24 May at least 10 of the participants had tested positive and quarantine was ordered for 70 people.[https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/landkreis-prueft-regelverstoesse-nach-corona-ausbruch-mehr-als-70-menschen-in-quarantaene-nach-restaurantbesuch/25855250.html "Mehr als 70 Menschen in Quarantäne nach Restaurantbesuch"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728044219/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/auch-betriebsrat-und-geschaftsfuhrer-der-meyer-werft-in-quarantane-6154987.html |date=28 July 2024 }} Der Tagesspiegel, 24 May 2020

On 31 May 2020, a new cluster with 36 confirmed infections was reported in Göttingen. The local authorities checked Hookah lounges to find the source of the infections.[https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/braunschweig_harz_goettingen/Corona-Ausbruch-in-Goettingen-Mehr-als-300-Kontaktpersonen,corona3282.html "Corona-Ausbruch in Göttingen: Mehr als 300 Kontaktpersonen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728044220/https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/braunschweig_harz_goettingen/index.html |date=28 July 2024 }} ndr.de 1 June 2020 Mayor Rolf-Georg Köhler informed the public on 2 June that the cluster originated in Eid al-Fitr celebrations by several families on 23 May where social distancing rules had been ignored.[https://www.goettinger-tageblatt.de/lokales/goettingen-lk/goettingen/corona-ausbruch-in-goettingen-zahlreiche-schulen-werden-geschlossen-KYCNOFORV7SP37DGLED4QKQ3NQ.html "Corona-Ausbruch in Göttingen: Zahlreiche Schulen werden geschlossen"] goettinger-tageblatt.de, 2 June 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2025. On 4 June 2020, the city reported 86 infections from the cluster and some 216 people had been ordered in quarantine. All schools were closed again and all contact and team sports were prohibited for 2 weeks.[https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/mehr-als-100-infektionen-nach-feiern-goettingens-buergermeister-schliesst-lockdown-nicht-aus/25886568.html "Göttingens Bürgermeister schließt Lockdown nicht aus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604122948/https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/mehr-als-100-infektionen-nach-feiern-goettingens-buergermeister-schliesst-lockdown-nicht-aus/25886568.html |date=4 June 2020 }} Der Tagesspiegel.de 4 June 2020

{{main|COVID-19 pandemic in North Rhine-Westphalia}}

On 25 February, a 47-year-old man tested positive in Erkelenz, Heinsberg at North Rhine-Westphalia.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/corona-baden-wuerttemberg-101.html |title=Zwei neue Coronavirus-Fälle in Deutschland |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225202016/https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/corona-baden-wuerttemberg-101.html |archive-date=25 February 2020 |access-date=25 February 2020}} He had been previously treated at University Hospital of Cologne on 13 and 19 February for a pre-existing medical condition. 41 medical staff members and patients were identified to have had contact with him at the hospital; one person from medical staff showed symptoms and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/gesundheit/krankheiten-koeln-kontakt-mit-coronavirus-patient-mitarbeiterin-mit-symptomen-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-200226-99-80236 |title=Kontakt mit Coronavirus-Patient: Mitarbeiterin mit Symptomen |date=26 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Heinsberger-Corona-Patient-wird-beatmet-article21601799.html |title=Heinsberger Corona-Patient wird beatmet |last=NACHRICHTEN |first=n-tv |website=n-tv.de |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}

On 26 February, the man's wife, a kindergarten teacher, tested positive; both were isolated at University Hospital of Düsseldorf.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.uniklinik-duesseldorf.de/ueber-uns/pressemitteilungen/detail/zwei-patienten-mit-dem-neuartigen-coronavirus-werden-in-uniklinik-duesseldorf-behandelt |title=Zwei Patienten mit dem neuartigen Coronavirus werden in Uniklinik Düsseldorf behandelt |date=26 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}} His colleague and her partner also tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Neue-Corona-Faelle-in-drei-Bundeslaendern-article21604363.html |title=Neue Corona-Fälle in drei Bundesländern |last=NACHRICHTEN |first=n-tv |website=n-tv.de |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}

On 27 February, Heinsberg confirmed fourteen new cases: nine from Gangelt, two from Selfkant, one from the city of Heinsberg, one from Düsseldorf and one from Herzogenrath. Multiple cases were linked to the Gangelter Carnival. All of them were placed in home isolation. This brought the current total to twenty in the district.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.lkz.de/%C3%BCberregionales_artikel,-14-weitere-infektionen-mit-coronavirus-in-nordrhein-westfalen-_arid,584388.html |title=14 weitere Infektionen mit Coronavirus in Nordrhein-Westfalen – Überregionales |website=Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung |date=27 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=27 February 2020}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.land.nrw/de/pressemitteilung/14-neu-bestaetigte-corona-faelle-heinsberg |title=Zahl der bestätigten COVID19-Fälle im Kreis Heinsberg erhöht {{!}} Das Landesportal Wir in NRW |date=27 February 2020 |website=land.nrw |language=de |access-date=28 February 2020}} A medical doctor in Mönchengladbach tested positive and was quarantined at home. He had attended the same carnival event in Gangelt.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/moenchengladbach/moenchengladbach-klinik-arzt-an-kliniken-maria-hilf-mit-coronavirus-infiziert_aid-49207507 |title=Kliniken Maria Hilf in Mönchengladbach: Klinik-Arzt mit Coronavirus infiziert |last=Richters |first=Andreas Gruhn, Sabine Janssen, Denisa |website=RP ONLINE |date=27 February 2020 |language=de |access-date=27 February 2020}}

On 28 February, Aachen confirmed the first COVID-19 case in the region, a woman from Herzogenrath (Aachen district), who had attended the carnival event in Gangelt on 15 February and underwent home isolation.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.aachener-zeitung.de/nrw-region/liveblog-coronavirus-in-heinsberg-aachen-und-dueren_aid-49193551|title=Liveblog: Coronavirus in NRW: Die aktuellen Entwicklungen|first=Nina Leßenich, Janina Schellartz, Marc-Alexander Heckert, Julia Kehlenbach, Björn|last=Hellmich|website=Aachener Zeitung|date=20 August 2021}} Heinsberg confirmed 17 new cases, bringing the current total to 37 cases in the district.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.kreis-heinsberg.de/aktuelles/aktuelles/?pid=5138 |title=Kreis Heinsberg |website=Kreis Heinsberg |access-date=29 February 2020}}

On 29 February, the number of confirmed cases in Heinsberg rose to sixty. Additionally, one case was confirmed in Bonn, three more in the Aachen district (one in Aachen and two in Würselen), and one in Lüdenscheid.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.welt.de/regionales/nrw/article206225923/Coronavirus-in-NRW-Mehr-als-60-Infizierte-auch-Kinder.html |title=Coronavirus in NRW: Mehr als 60 Infizierte, auch Kinder |date=29 February 2020 |work=Die Welt |access-date=8 March 2020 |language=de}} Cologne, Mönchengladbach and Duisburg also each reported two cases.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/themen/coronavirus/ticker-corona-virus-nrw-102.html |title=Coronavirus in NRW – Live-Ticker vom Samstag zum Nachlesen |website=wdr.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}} The first cases in Münster were confirmed.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.muenster.de/corona.html |title=Informationen zum Coronavirus |website=muenster.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}}

On 1 March, cases in Heinsberg rose to 68.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.kreis-heinsberg.de/aktuelles/aktuelles/?pid=5140 |title=Aktuelles aus dem Kreishaus: Coronavirus – Stand 1. März |website=Kreis-Heinsberg.de |access-date=9 March 2020}} A case was confirmed in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, affecting a woman from Overath.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rbk-direkt.de/news/28796/erster-bestaetigter-corona-fall-im-rheinisch-bergischen-kreis |title=Erster bestätigter Corona-Fall im Rheinisch-Bergischen Kreis |website=rbk-direkt.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}}

On 2 March, the number of positive cases in Heinsberg increased to 79.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.kreis-heinsberg.de/aktuelles/aktuelles/?pid=5141 |title=Aktuelles aus dem Kreishaus: Coronavirus – 2. März |website=Kreis-Heinsberg.de |access-date=9 March 2020}} The Unna district reported its first case, a 61-year-old woman.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.wa.de/lokales/boenen/coronavirus-erreicht-kreis-unna-61-jaehrige-frau-infiziert-13568236.html |title=Coronavirus erreicht Kreis Unna: 61-jährige infiziert – Klinik klagt über Diebstähle von Masken |website=rbk-direkt.de |language=de |access-date=2 March 2020}}

On 3 March, cases in Heinsberg rose to 84.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.kreis-heinsberg.de/aktuelles/aktuelles/?pid=5142 |title=Aktuelles aus dem Kreishaus: Coronavirus – Stand 6. März |website=Kreis-Heinsberg.de |access-date=9 March 2020}} Two more cases were confirmed in Münster. The first case was confirmed in Neuss.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.neuss.de/aktuelle-informationen-zum-corona-virus |title=Informationen zum Corona-Virus |website=neuss.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}}

File:2020-03-21-Covid-19-K%C3%B6ln-8434.jpg on 21 March to allow admission only to people who want to pray.]]

On 4 March, the first case in Bochum was confirmed when a 68-year-old man returning from holiday in Italy tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.bochum.de/Pressemeldungen/4-Maerz-2020/Ein-Bochumer-mit-Coronavirus-infiziert |title=Ein Bochumer mit Coronavirus infiziert |website=bochum.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}}

On 5 March 195 cases were confirmed by laboratory test in Heinsberg. The local authorities announced that all schools, kindergartens, daycare facilities and interdisciplinary early intervention centres would remain closed until at least 15 March 2020. Six people tested positive in Münster, of which four were pupils and one a child in a day care centre. The school and the day care centre were closed as a precaution.

On 6 March, confirmed cases in Heinsberg rose to 220. A mobile medical care unit was deployed in Gangelt-Birgden.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.kreis-heinsberg.de/aktuelles/aktuelles/?pid=5142 |title=Coronavirus – Stand 6. März |website=kreis-heinsberg.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}} Bochum's second case was confirmed, after the wife of the city's first confirmed case also tested positive.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.bochum.de/Pressemeldungen/6-Maerz-2020/Zentrale-Corona-Diagnostikstelle-eingerichtet |title=Zentrale Corona-Diagnostikstelle eingerichtet – Zweiter positiver Fall bestätigt |website=bochum.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}}

On 7 March, three cases were confirmed in Remscheid and one in Wermelskirchen.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.radiorsg.de/artikel/vier-bestaetigte-corona-faelle-in-remscheid-528573.html |title=Vier bestätigte Corona-Fälle in Remscheid |website=radiorsg.de |language=de |access-date=8 March 2020}} Bochum reported its third case, a 58-year-old man from Weitmar who had returned from a holiday in Italy.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.waz.de/staedte/bochum/bochum-der-dritte-corona-infizierte-ist-bestätigt-id228639673.html |title=Bochum: Der dritte Corona-Infizierte ist bestaetigt |website=waz.de |language=de |access-date=9 March 2020}}

On 8 March, the count of cases in the state rose to 484. Of these, 277 were in Heinsberg. Bochum recorded its fourth case after a woman tested positive after returning from a holiday in South Tyrol, Italy. She went into quarantine at home.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.wr.de/politik/coronavirus-nrw-newsblog-neue-faelle-zahl-der-erkrankten-steigt-stetig-lkw-fahrverbot-gelockert-id228548431.html |title=Coronavirus in NRW: BVB gegen Schalke 04 wohl ohne Zuschauer |website=wr.de |language=de |access-date=9 March 2020}} A 44-year-old Münster resident tested positive and underwent quarantine with his family. Düsseldorf confirmed its fourth case, a man who had contact with individuals in Heinsberg. All cases in Düsseldorf were reported to be asymptomatic, or with mild symptoms.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.nrz.de/staedte/duesseldorf/vierter-duesseldorfer-positiv-getestet-auf-das-coronavirus-id228642977.html |title=Coronavirus: Vierter Düsseldorfer ist positiv getestet |date=8 March 2020 |website=nrz.de |language=de |access-date=9 March 2020}} There were six new infections in Erkrath, Mettmann district.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.waz.de/staedte/heiligenhaus/heiligenhaus-neuer-verdachtsfall-von-corona-virus-id228645591.html |title=Heiligenhaus: Neue Verdachtsfälle von Corona-Virus |date=8 March 2020 |website=waz.de |language=de |access-date=9 March 2020}} An additional three people were infected with the virus in Bergkamen, Unna district. They are believed to have come into contact with an infected person during a visit to Hamburg.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.wa.de/lokales/boenen/coronavirus-erreicht-kreis-unna-61-jaehrige-frau-infiziert-13568236.html |title=Coronavirus im Kreis Unna: Familie aus Bergkamen erkrankt – es gibt etwa 100 Kontaktpersonen |website=rbk-direkt.de |language=de |access-date=9 March 2020}}

On 9 March, the first COVID-19 deaths in Germany, an 89-year-old woman in Essen and a 78-year-old man in Heinsberg, were reported.

By the evening of 10 March, the count of cases in the state rose to 648. All mass events in North Rhine-Westphalia with more than 1000 participants were banned with immediate effect.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.mt.de/nrw/22720700_Landesregierung-Grossveranstaltungen-in-NRW-wegen-Corona-Virus-grundsaetzlich-absagen.html |title=Landesregierung: Großveranstaltungen in NRW wegen Corona-Virus grundsätzlich absagen |date=10 March 2020 |publisher=Mindener Tageblatt}}

On 11 March, the number of positive cases in North Rhine-Westphalia increased to 801, including three deaths.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://interaktiv.morgenpost.de/corona-virus-karte-infektionen-deutschland-weltweit/ |title=Coronavirus-Monitor |date=11 March 2020 |publisher=Berliner Morgenpost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311174903/https://interaktiv.morgenpost.de/corona-virus-karte-infektionen-deutschland-weltweit/ |archive-date=11 March 2020}}

On 13 March, all schools and kindergartens were closed by the government of North Rhine-Westphalia.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/docs/bp/Ministerium/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2020_17_LegPer/PM20200313_Schulschliessung/index.html |title=Coronavirus: Unterricht in allen Schulen wird bis zu den Osterferien ausgesetzt |date=13 March 2020 |publisher=NRW Schulministerium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314160543/https://www.schulministerium.nrw.de/docs/bp/Ministerium/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2020_17_LegPer/PM20200313_Schulschliessung/ |archive-date=14 March 2020}}

In September, the city of Hamm became a hotspot after the obligation to wear masks and to keep distance had been ignored at three events with some 500 guests surrounding a Turkish wedding in early September. By 24 September, some 179 individuals from that wedding were described as "acute infected" by the local government. The number of infections per 100,000 citizens rose to 100 and new restrictions were introduced: Masks would have to be worn in schools for upper secondary education, events with more than 25 people would have to file an application and with 50 up to 150 participants, a concept for infection prevention would be required.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.hurriyet.de/news_nach-tuerkischer-hochzeit-hamm-corona-hotspot-in-deutschland108286_143540943.html |title=Nach türkischer Hochzeit: Hamm Corona-Hotspot in Deutschland |date=24 September 2020 |publisher=hurriyet.de}} On 6 October some 300 infected were linked to the wedding.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.wa.de/hamm/corona-zahlen-hamm-aktuelle-entwicklung-tuerkischer-grosshochzeit-gast-infektionen-hotspot-90061833.html |title=Corona-Folgen in Hamm: Jeder 5. Gast der Großhochzeit infiziert |date=6 October 2020 |publisher=wa.de |author=Lahme, Frank|language=de}}

In October, the city of Cologne presented its #diesmalnicht (English: #notthistime) campaign discouraging gatherings, parades and similar hazardous behaviour for the commencement of the Cologne Carnival at 11:11 a.m. on 11 November 2020. Mayor of Cologne Henriette Reker announced that there would be a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol outside of restaurants and pubs on 11 November 2020, with many establishments voluntarily remaining closed or not selling alcohol on that date.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.stadt-koeln.de/politik-und-verwaltung/presse/kein-karneval-am-1111-wir-feiern-nicht-wir-oeffnen-nicht|title=Kein Karneval am 11.11. – "Wir feiern nicht, wir öffnen nicht"|website=stadt-koeln.de}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.zdf.de/uri/0ee0fbcb-d4df-444f-85dd-89b2e684fe4a|title=11.11.2020: Keine Feiern, kein Alkohol und wenig Karneval|website=zdf.de}}

On 26 February, a 41-year-old soldier who worked in Cologne-Wahn military airport and had attended a carnival event in Gangelt with the 47-year-old patient from North Rhine-Westphalia was admitted to Bundeswehr Central Hospital, Koblenz, the first case in Rhineland-Palatinate.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/koblenz/Soldat-hatte-Kontakt-zu-Erkranktem-Corona-Verdachtsfall-im-Bundeswehrkrankenhaus-Koblenz,corona-verdacht-bundeswehrkrankenhaus-100.html |title=Erster Coronavirus-Fall in Rheinland-Pfalz |last1=Aktuell |first1=S. W. R. |website=swr.online |language=de |access-date=26 February 2020}}

On 27 February, a 32-year-old man from Kaiserslautern, who had been in Iran, tested positive and was admitted to Westpfalz-Klinikum.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/kaiserslautern/Neuer-Fall-in-Rheinland-Pfalz-Coronavirus-bei-Patienten-in-Kaiserslautern-festgestellt,corona-kaiserslautern-100.html |title=Coronavirus bei Patient in Kaiserslautern festgestellt |last1=Aktuell |first1=S. W. R. |website=swr.online |language=de |access-date=27 February 2020}}

On 4 March, a woman and a child from Wachenheim tested positive and were quarantined.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.wochenblatt-reporter.de/bad-duerkheim/c-lokales/corona-virus-in-wachenheim-bestaetigt_a176479 |title=Erster Fall im Landkreis Bad Dürkheim: Corona-Virus in Wachenheim bestätigt |website=Wochenblatt Reporter|date=4 March 2020 }}

On 10 March 2020, Saxony-Anhalt reported eight confirmed cases of COVID-19, making it the last federal state to be affected by the disease.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://interaktiv.morgenpost.de/corona-virus-karte-infektionen-deutschland-weltweit/ |title=Coronavirus-Monitor |date=10 March 2020 |publisher=Berliner Morgenpost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310205455/https://interaktiv.morgenpost.de/corona-virus-karte-infektionen-deutschland-weltweit/ |archive-date=10 March 2020}} As of 26 March, the subdivisions of Jessen and Schweinitz in the municipality of Jessen (Elster) are under quarantine, with no one apart from emergency workers allowed in or out. The cause is reported to be an increased number of COVID-19 infections in a retirement home there.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/gefahrenmeldungen/warnung-sperrung-jessen-schweinitz-sachsen-anhalt-100.html |title=Jessen und Schweinitz im Landkreis Wittenberg unter Quarantäne |last=Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) |date=26 March 2020}}

In late March 2020, a group of patients from Lombardy in Italy and the border region of Alsace in France were treated in Germany.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-treating-european-patients-in-germany/a-52943695 |title=Coronavirus: Treating European patients in Germany |date=27 March 2020 |website=DW}}

On 1 February 2020, around 90 German citizens left Wuhan on a flight arranged by the German government. Upon arrival, they were quarantined in Rhineland-Palatinate for 14 days.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=http://www.tagesschau.de/coronavirus-deutschland-119.html |title=Deutscher Rückholflug aus Wuhan gestartet |date=1 February 2020 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201041013/https://www.tagesschau.de/coronavirus-deutschland-119.html |archive-date=1 February 2020 |access-date=1 February 2020}}

On 2 February, two of the arrivals from China tested positive and were moved from the quarantine location in Germersheim to an isolation unit at the University Hospital Frankfurt.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALQZWBlNbZA |title=Inside Germany's coronavirus quarantine camp |date=3 February 2020 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205143946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALQZWBlNbZA |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=3 February 2020}}

The first case of what was later named the Alpha variant was confirmed by authorities on 24 December 2020. It was detected in a woman who had been travelling by plane from London to Frankfurt.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/new-covid-variant-reaches-germany-from-uk/a-56054140|title=New COVID variant reaches Germany from UK|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=24 December 2020|access-date=14 January 2021}}

On 21 January 2021, an analysis by the Berlin Charité hospital of a coronavirus sample from a patient in a recent outbreak in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was published. The report said that, contrary to initial concerns, the sample did not show a new mutation, but rather a variant of the virus that had first been detected in March 2020. Up to the time of the report, 66 patients and staff at a hospital in Germisch-Partenkirchen had tested positive for that variant.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/corona-variante-aus-garmisch-partenkirchen-ist-entschluesselt|title=Corona-Variante aus Garmisch-Partenkirchen ist entschlüsselt|publisher=Bayerischer Rundfunk|date=21 January 2021|access-date=14 February 2021|language=de}}

The first case in Germany of the Beta variant was confirmed by authorities on 22 January 2021 in a traveller who had arrived at Frankfurt airport from Brazil one day earlier. He showed no symptoms. Also on 22 January, the total death toll in Germany crossed the 50,000 mark, according to the Robert Koch Institute.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-germany-detects-first-case-of-brazilian-variant/a-56307893|title=Coronavirus digest: Germany detects first case of Brazilian variant|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=22 January 2021|access-date=14 February 2021}}{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-01-germany-case-brazilian-virus-variant.html|title=Germany detects first case of Brazilian virus variant|work=medicalexpress.com|date=22 January 2021|access-date=14 February 2021}}

On 24 April 2021, Germany banned flights from India with effect from 26 April, due to concern about the Delta variant that had emerged in that country and was suspected to be responsible for the steep rise in COVID-19 cases there. Germans and foreigners with German residence permit, among others, would be exempt upon presentation of a negative test result before entry; a 14-day mandatory quarantine would still be required. As of 23 April, there were 21 cases of infections with the variant reported in Germany.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/de/deutschland-stoppt-einreise-aus-indien/a-57323597|title=Deutschland stoppt Einreise aus Indien|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=24 April 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|language=de}}

On 7 July 2021, the RKI announced that, based on data from 21 to 27 June, the Delta variant had become the dominant strain, making up 59 per cent of newly reported infections within that week.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.aerzteblatt.de/studieren/nachrichten/125409/Delta-Variante-dominiert-in-Deutschland|title=Delta-Variante dominiert in Deutschland|website=www.aerzteblatt.de|date=8 July 2021|access-date=9 July 2021|language=de}}

By late November 2021, several cases of the Omicron variant had been reported in Germany.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/corona-krisenstab-107.html|title=Krisenstab soll noch diese Woche starten|work=Tagesschau|date=29 November 2021|access-date=30 November 2021|language=de}}

After their emergence, the Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants successively went on to become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in the country.

{{main|German government response to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

{{main|COVID-19 vaccination in Germany|German government response to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

{{Multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=250

| image1 = MJKr01695 Jens Spahn (NRW-Empfang, Berlinale 2020).jpg

| image2 = MJK 67604 Karl Lauterbach (Bundestag 2020).jpg

| footer = Federal Ministers of Health during the pandemic: until 8 December 2021 Jens Spahn (left) and from 8 December 2021 Karl Lauterbach (right).

}}

File:Covid-19 Impfzentrum Schild LK Traunstein.jpg

On 9 November 2020, the German vaccination commission STIKO, an independent advisory group which is part of the RKI, published a position paper jointly with the German Ethics Council and the Leopoldina Academy of Sciences on how access to a future COVID-19 vaccine should be regulated, given that sufficient quantities of such a vaccine would not immediately be available to everybody willing to undergo vaccination. The document highlighted the need to comply with medical, legal and ethical principles, and urged for the prioritisation scheme to be made transparent to the public.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rki.de/EN/Content/infections/Vaccination/Vaccination_node.html|title=RKI – Standing Committee on Vaccination|website=rki.de}}

On 18 December, Health Minister Jens Spahn unveiled the government vaccination plan at a press conference. He warned that "we will have to live with this virus for a long time yet." The plan deviated from a STIKO proposal published the previous day in that it subdivided the population into three groups, instead of five as proposed by STIKO; and it allowed for priorisation within each of the groups, which Spahn defended against criticism from general practitioners and police as "allow[ing] a certain flexibility on the ground".{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/covid-german-regulations-on-who-gets-vaccine-first/a-55987647|title=COVID: German regulations on who gets vaccine first|first=Ben|last=Knight|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=18 December 2020|access-date=30 December 2020}}

The first 9,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were delivered to Germany's 16 states on 26 December. The state of Saxony-Anhalt started vaccinations the same day, one day before the official start.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/26/world/Germany-Hungary-vaccinations-begin.html|title=The E.U.'s vaccinations are set to begin Sunday, but a few places have jumped the gun.|first=Melissa|last=Edy|work=The New York Times|date=26 December 2020|access-date=30 December 2020}} The first to receive the vaccine were German residents over the age of 80, as well as caregivers and hospital staff who were considered to be at particular risk.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-distributes-covid-19-vaccine-to-states-ahead-of-rollout/a-56061628|title=Germany distributes COVID-19 vaccine to states ahead of rollout|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=26 December 2020|access-date=29 December 2020}}

A first batch of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, of about 63,000 doses, arrived in Lower Saxony on 11 January 2021.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germany-rolls-out-moderna-vaccine/a-56205028|title=Coronavirus: Germany rolls out Moderna vaccine|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=12 January 2021|access-date=19 January 2021}}

By early January 2021, criticism was mounting over the slow progress of the vaccination program. The government tasked the RKI with investigating if, as in other countries, the second jab could be postponed in order to use available doses for more people.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/04/germany-denmark-second-dose-covid-vaccine|title=Germany and Denmark consider delaying second Covid vaccine dose|first1=Jon|last1=Henley|first2=Philip|last2=Oltermann|first3=Kim|last3=Willsher|work=The Guardian|date=4 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021}} On 8 January, the German Health Ministry announced that regulators of the European Medicines Agency had approved the extraction of six, instead of five, doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from each vial, and that this practice would be immediately adopted in Germany.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/eu-allows-extra-doses-from-biontech-pfizer-vaccine-vial/a-56170558|title=EU allows extra doses from BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine vial|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=8 January 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}

Production issues hampered the rollout of vaccines in the European Union and consequently also in Germany, as the country had ordered its vaccines through the bloc. On 22 January, it transpired that AstraZeneca would, after the expected approval of its vaccine by the European Union on 29 January, only be able to deliver 31 million doses, instead of the agreed 80 million doses. There were also difficulties reported with the delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/de/astrazeneca-liefert-weniger-corona-impfstoff-als-geplant/a-56320902|title=AstraZeneca liefert weniger Corona-Impfstoff als geplant|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=22 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|language=de}} AstraZeneca said on 31 January that it would supply 9 million additional doses during the first quarter, while BioNTech said that its new production plant in Marburg would allow them to increase their supply to the European Union from the initially planned 1.3 billion to 2 billion.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-biontech-pfizer-pledges-75-million-more-eu-vaccines/a-56401762|title=Coronavirus: BioNTech-Pfizer pledges 75 million more EU vaccines|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=1 February 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}

On 3 February, Spahn said that he expected that citizens would be able to choose between the three EU-approved vaccines in a few months. He flagged that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine could be produced in Germany.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/corona-impfstoff-auswahlen-in-einigen-monaten-sollen-patienten-zwischen-herstellern-wahlen-konnen-PKOBVUTCX2CVIOOTRF5NJSQ4HQ.html|title=Jens Spahn stellt Auswahlmöglichkeit bei Corona-Impfstoff in Aussicht|publisher=RND|date=3 February 2021|access-date=9 February 2021}} Spahn had said in late January that Germany would be open to the adoption of vaccines from Russia and China after EU approval, provided that they were safe and effective.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/corona-impfstoff-sputnik-v-aus-russland-spahn-offen-fur-einsatz-unter-einer-bedingung-HBNASLPW6SFF636EBE5KO3267Q.html|title=Spahn ist im Falle von EU-Zulassung offen für Impfstoffe aus Russland und China|publisher=RND|date=31 January 2021|access-date=9 February 2021}}

By 10 February, the number of second vaccinations – two vaccinations being necessary for each of the three vaccines approved as of that date – had risen to above 1.1 million, comprising about 1.32 per cent of the population. Difficulties with vaccine delivery had prompted authorities to retain vaccines for use in the second vaccination and consequently, a decrease in the daily number of first vaccinations.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.t-online.de/digital/id_89192054/covid-19-impfungen-in-deutschland-mehr-als-eine-millionen-menschen-sind-vollstaendig-geimpft.html|title=Mehr als eine Millionen Menschen sind vollständig geimpft|first=Laura|last=Stresing|publisher=T-Online|date=10 February 2021|access-date=11 February 2021|language=de}}

On 11 March, the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was permitted for use in Germany as part of an EU permit.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/121943/SARS-CoV-2-Impfstoff-von-Johnson-Johnson-in-der-EU-zugelassen|title=SARS-CoV-2: Impfstoff von Johnson & Johnson in der EU zugelassen|work=Deutsches Ärzteblatt|date=11 March 2021|access-date=11 May 2021}}

By 15 March, 6,507,159 people have been given the first dose of the vaccine.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.sortiraparis.com/news/in-paris/articles/212134-coronavirus-in-the-world-as-of-datadatestodayfrlatest-latest-case-and-death-toll/lang/en|title=CORONAVIRUS IN THE WORLD AS OF SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021: LATEST CASE AND DEATH TOLLS IN 24H PER COUNTRY|website=Sortiraparis|publisher=Julie M|date=14 March 2021|accessdate=14 March 2021}}

On 15 March, Germany temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine "as a precaution" according to the Health Ministry, with Health Minister Spahn saying that the risk of blood clots developing after administration of the vaccine was low but could not be ruled out.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-use-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-along-with-italy-france-spain/a-56878920|title=Germany suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine, along with Italy, France, Spain|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=15 March 2021|access-date=15 March 2021}} While the German Medical Association supported the decision,{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Deutschland setzt Corona-Impfung mit AstraZeneca-Impfstoff aus|publisher=ÄrzteZeitung (Springer Medizin Verlag)|date=15 March 2021|url=https://www.aerztezeitung.de/Medizin/Deutschland-setzt-Impfung-mit-AstraZeneca-Impfstoff-aus-417900.html|first=Anne|last=Bäurle}} others including epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach criticised it.{{#invoke:Cite news||title=Impfung mit AstraZeneca in Deutschland wird ausgesetzt|work=Der Spiegel|date=15 March 2021|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/corona-astrazeneca-impfung-in-deutschland-ausgesetzt-a-c449c319-bd29-47f8-87fb-9ec76d99c967}}{{#invoke:Cite web||title=AstraZeneca gestoppt {{!}}Deutschlandfunk|url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/astrazeneca-gestoppt-ein-falscher-schritt.720.de.html?dram:article_id=494124|first=Volkart|last=Wildermuth|date=15 March 2021|language=de}} Vaccinations with AstraZeneca resumed on 19 March after the European Medicines Agency deemed the vaccine "safe and effective".

On 30 March, on recommendations of Germany's vaccine panel, the use of AstraZeneca was restricted to patients 60 and older, except for patients for whom a COVID-19 infection was expected to pose a high risk, and who additionally had agreed to take the vaccine despite the small risk of serious side effects.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://apnews.com/article/germany-cities-suspend-astrazeneca-vaccine-under-60-c6da4f4ed846ebebbe24505bfbf9bfce|title=Germany to restrict AstraZeneca use in under-60s over clots|first=Frank|last=Jordans|work=Associated Press|date=30 March 2021|access-date=3 April 2021}} The Vaccination Commission revised this on 22 April to allow for use in younger ages, subject to their consent to medical advice about the risks.

On 8 April, Spahn said that as the European Commission was not intending to buy the Sputnik V vaccine for the entire bloc, Germany would enter exclusive negotiations with Russia, in spite of an agreement of the bloc in early 2021 to shun exclusive negotiations with suppliers. Any purchases would be subject to approval from the European Medicines Agency.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/08/985410735/germany-says-it-will-explore-buying-russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-bucking-eu-policy|title=Germany says it will explore buying Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, bucking EU policy|first=Esme|last=Nicholson|publisher=NPR|date=8 April 2021|access-date=12 April 2021}}

On 6 May, the AstraZeneca vaccine was made available to all adults. Previously the vaccination campaign had considerably gained speed. On 10 May, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was likewise made generally available. As with the AstraZeneca vaccine, a prior consultation about the risks was mandated for under 60-year olds.

Rüdiger von Kries, a member of the vaccination commission STIKO, said on 25 May that, as "practically nothing" was known about long-term adverse effects of vaccinations on 12- to 15-year-old children and adolescents, STIKO would likely recommend them only for children with other risk factors.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://news.trust.org/item/20210526142242-71sl6|title=German coronavirus rate hits lowest level since October|first1=Madeline|last1=Chambers|first2=Ludwig|last2=Burger|agency=Reuters|date=26 May 2021|access-date=26 May 2021}} On 10 June, STIKO made such a limited recommendation, while also saying that healthy teenagers may also be vaccinated with the consent of themselves, their parents, and doctors. In explaining the recommendation, which was more restrictive than that at EU level, STIKO head Thomas Mertens cited the concerns of von Kries, adding that very children fell ill with COVID-19 as opposed to older people.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-technology-government-and-politics-03043240f9780a2504dd5bb98d90cb5f|title=Germany starts rolling out a digital EU vaccination pass|first=Kirsten|last=Grieshaber|publisher=Associated Press|date=10 June 2021|access-date=15 June 2021}} In the light of new safety data from the United States and new research on the infection risk for children and adolescents in the age range from 12 to 17 years, STIKO updated its guidance on 16 August to include a recommendation for vaccination for that age range.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-panel-recommends-all-12-17-year-olds-get-covid-19-shot-2021-08-16/|title=German panel recommends all 12-17-year-olds get COVID-19 shot|first=Caroline|last=Copley|publisher=Reuters|date=16 August 2021|access-date=30 August 2021}}

A digital vaccination pass was rolled out on 10 June. Health Minister Spahn announced that day that the pass was expected to be available to everyone in Germany who is fully vaccinated, by the end of June; and that it was planned to make it an acceptable proof of vaccination status also in other countries.

On 5 August, it was reported that Germany, along with France and Israel, would give booster doses to immunocompromised patients, the very elderly and nursing home residents from September. In response to recent criticism from WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to halt boosters until at least the end of September due to global inequity in vaccine supply, the German health ministry said that it would donate at least 30 million vaccine doses to poorer countries and "support the vaccination of as many people in the world as possible".{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-president-macron-third-covid-vaccine-doses-likely-elderly-vulnerable-2021-08-05/|title=Ignoring WHO call, major nations stick to vaccine booster plans|first1=Sudip|last1=Kar-gupta|first2=Caroline|last2=Copley|publisher=Reuters|date=5 August 2021|access-date=12 August 2021}}

A study by the Robert Koch Institute published on 9 August found that vaccinations had prevented an estimated 38,000 deaths from COVID-19, as well as prevented over 76,000 hospitalizations and almost 20,000 admissions to intensive care units. The study used data from the preceding six and a half months, from the approximate beginning of the third wave of the pandemic.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-vaccination-campaign-saved-thousands-of-lives-study/a-58793095?maca=en-NL-Corona-Compact|title=German vaccination campaign saved thousands of lives: study|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=7 August 2021|access-date=10 August 2021}}

Health minister Spahn said on 22 September that unvaccinated workers who were forced to quarantine after returning from travels to high-risk areas would no longer receive governmental subsidies for lost income from 11 October at latest. He argued that the taxpayer could not be expected to pay for the costs incurred by those who were able to choose to get vaccinated but did not do so.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-wont-pay-unvaccinated-workers-quarantine-draft-2021-09-22/|title=Germany to end quarantine pay for those without vaccinations|first1=Andreas|last1=Rinke|first2=Maria|last2=Sheahan|work=Reuters|date=22 September 2021|access-date=25 September 2021}}

On 5 November, against the background of rapidly rising case numbers in the fourth wave of the pandemic, Health Minister Spahn said that he had agreed with state ministers to offer a third dose of the vaccine to everyone six months after their previous injection.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/action-needed-now-avoid-lockdown-say-german-state-leaders-2021-11-05/|title=With fourth wave raging, Germany agrees booster shots for all|first1=Miranda|last1=Murray|first2=Thomas|last2=Escritt|first3=Zuzanna|last3=Szymanska|work=Reuters|date=5 November 2021|access-date=11 November 2021}}

On 10 November, national advisory committee STIKO revised its recommendations, saying that those under 30 should only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, as the Moderna vaccine had shown a larger incidence of heart inflammation in that age group. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was also recommended as the only vaccine for pregnant women of all ages.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-recommends-only-biontechpfizer-vaccine-people-under-30-2021-11-10/|title=Germany recommends only Biontech/Pfizer vaccine for under-30s|first1=Riham|last1=Alkousaa|first2=Paul|last2=Carrel|work=Reuters|date=10 November 2021|access-date=10 November 2021}}

With the number of COVID-19 deaths passing the 100,000 mark on 25 November and the health care system being under strain from the increasing number of cases, there were increasing calls for making vaccination mandatory. Among the supporters of this step were also the state leaders Volker Bouffier and Winfried Kretschmann, and Berlin mayor Michael Müller.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-german-support-for-full-vaccine-mandate-rises/a-59926076?maca=en-NL-Corona-Compact|title=Coronavirus digest: German support for full vaccine mandate rise|website=Deutsche Welle|agency=Deutsche Welle|date=25 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021}}

On 25 January 2021, the Health Ministry announced that Germany had bought 200,000 doses of experimental antibody cocktails for €400 million, to be administered at university hospitals only, and to be used only on high-risk patients at an early stage of the illness. The drugs, Bamlanivimab and REGN-COV-2, had been used on US President Donald Trump after he caught the virus in October 2020. The use of the drugs, which had not received approval by the European Medicines Agency, was permitted under a compassionate use clause.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/germany-to-administer-covid-antibody-cocktailsdrugs-used-treat-donald-trump|title=Germany to administer Covid drugs used to treat Donald Trump|first=Philip|last=Oltermann|work=The Guardian|date=25 January 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}

On 28 December 2021, the German government announced that it had ordered one million doses of Paxlovid. Health minister Lauterbach said he had liaised with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices about emergency approval for the drug, which he expected to be granted in time for the first deliveries before the end of January 2022.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-buys-1-million-doses-of-anti-covid-pill-paxlovid/a-60276666|title=Germany buys 1 million doses of anti-COVID pill Paxlovid|work=Deutsche Welle|date=28 December 2021|access-date=15 January 2022}} Wholesale marketers started to receive the drug on 23 February.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.morgenpost.de/vermischtes/article234583113/paxlovid-corona-pille-medikament-covid-heilung-deutschland-beschaffung.html|title=Paxlovid: Wann und wo Sie die neue Corona-Pille bekommen|first=Christian|last=Kerl|work=Berliner Morgenpost|date=24 February 2022|access-date=3 July 2022|language=de}} Its uptake appeared to be quite slow in the first months, however, with one German newspaper reporting that by April it had been prescribed less than 9,000 times.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/technologie/paxlovid-corona-medikament-freiburg-101.html|title=Corona-Pille in Deutschland Ladenhüter|first=Tim|last=Diekmann|work=Tagesschau|date=27 May 2022|access-date=3 July 2022|language=de}} In a tweet on 21 May 2022, health minister Lauterbach expressed his satisfaction about new research results indicating the high efficacy of the drug, but said that more preparation was still needed to determine its "optimal use".{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rnd.de/wissen/corona-medikament-paxlovid-karl-lauterbach-freut-sich-ueber-positive-studie-RNVH566EB5GDPJ6PCT7TGY2VQE.html|title="Gute Nachricht": Lauterbach freut sich über gute Paxlovid-Wirkung|work=RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland|date=23 May 2022|access-date=3 July 2022|language=de}}

In January 2024, it was reported that several pharmacies in Germany were being investigated on suspicion of having illegally re-sold Paxlovid which they had ordered.{{cite web|url=https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/148603/Illegale-Geschaefte-mit-Paxlovid-Apotheken-unter-Verdacht|title=Illegale Geschäfte mit Paxlovid, Apotheken unter Verdacht|date=15 January 2024|access-date=15 January 2024|work=Deutsches Ärzteblatt|language=de|archive-date=15 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115185320/https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/148603/Illegale-Geschaefte-mit-Paxlovid-Apotheken-unter-Verdacht|url-status=live}}

Germany officially entered a recession given that its economy contracted 2.2% during the first quarter of 2020.{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Coronavirus lockdown pushes Germany into recession|url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-lockdown-pushes-germany-into-recession/a-53446866|date=15 May 2020|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=15 May 2020}}

As of 1 April 2020, almost half a million companies in Germany had sent their workers on a government-subsidized short-time working scheme known as Kurzarbeit.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/01/825163403/nearly-half-a-million-companies-in-germany-file-for-state-funds-to-pay-workers |title=Nearly Half A Million Companies in Germany File For State Funds To Pay Workers |date=1 April 2020 |publisher=NPR}}{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.dw.com/en/short-time-work-a-vital-tool-in-germanys-economic-armory-against-coronavirus/a-52952657 |title=Short-time work: A vital tool in Germany's economic armory against coronavirus |date=30 March 2020 |publisher=Deutsche Welle}} The German short-time work compensation scheme is similar to schemes in France and Britain.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.thelocal.de/20200401/kurzarbeit-germany-bets-on-tried-and-tested-tool-to-weather-jobs-crisis |title=Kurzarbeit: Germany bets on tried-and-tested tool for coronavirus jobs crisis |date=1 April 2020 |work=The Local}}

On 8 April, Germany reverted a travel ban for seasonal agricultural workers, allowing 80,000 Eastern Europeans to enter between April and May to harvest seasonal foods.{{#invoke:Cite news||last=Welle (www.dw.com) |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-drafts-romanian-farm-labor-for-coronavirus-pandemic/a-53066735 |title=Germany drafts Romanian farm labor for coronavirus pandemic |date=8 April 2020 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=11 April 2020 }}

In a press release from 29 April, the Federal Government predicted that gross domestic product to decline by 6.3 per cent in 2020,

with the sharpest drop in economic output, and the peak in Kurzarbeit short-time working, occurring in the second quarter.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2020/20200429-minister-altmaier-says-coronavirus-pandemic-is-sending-economy-into-recession.html|title=Minister Altmaier says coronavirus pandemic is sending economy into recession and that restrictions on the economy and social life should be eased gradually to allow the economy to recover in the second half of the year |date=29 April 2020 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy|access-date=30 May 2020 }}

On 22 May, in an article published in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the German Council of Economic Experts stated its views on the design of the planned coronavirus recovery package. In particular, it weighed in on the debate about whether the recovery package should include a higher cash incentive for buying electric cars, a plan which the Merkel government had favoured.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-economy/germany-expects-record-recession-in-2020-because-of-coronavirus-idUSKBN22B245|title=Germany expects record recession in 2020 because of coronavirus |first=Michael|last=Nienaber|date=29 April 2020 |work=Reuters |access-date=23 May 2020 }} The Council recommended against any sector specific aid measures, and advocated focusing on investments in education and infrastructure, lowering the cost of energy, and allowing companies to balance losses with gains from previous and expected gains for future years.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.sachverstaendigenrat-wirtschaft.de/themen/konjunktur-und-wachstum/aktuelles/ein-konjunkturpaket-im-zeichen-des-strukturwandels-2345.html?returnUrl=%2Fthemen%2Fkonjunktur-und-wachstum.html&cHash=e5ecc101f41740a81f96b0f4d2eef680 |title=Ein Konjunkturpaket im Zeichen des Strukturwandels|date=22 May 2020 |publisher=German Council of Economic Experts |access-date=22 May 2020 }}

On 3 June, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) announced that the jobless figure in Germany had risen in May to 2.813 million, a year-on-year increase of 577,000, bringing the unemployment rate to 6.1 per cent. In his analysis, BA director Detlef Scheele stated that even though the coronavirus crisis had hit the labour market with unprecedented severity, it was coping reasonably well in his opinion.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.dw.com/de/wegen-corona-mehr-als-sechs-prozent-arbeitslosigkeit/a-53665746 |title=Wegen Corona: Mehr als sechs Prozent Arbeitslosigkeit|publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=3 June 2020|access-date=3 June 2020 }}

According to the Federal Statistical Office, exports dropped in April by 31 per cent compared to the previous year, which was unprecedented since 1950, when trade balance statistics began to be collected.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/exporte-aussenhandel-1.4931525|title=Deutschlands Exporte brechen um mehr als 30 Prozent ein|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=9 June 2020|access-date=9 June 2020 }}

In late August 2020, the Federal Statistical Office reported a decrease in gross domestic product of 9.7% in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the first. This was attributed to the collapse in exports as well as health protection measures during the pandemic; the latter had shut down whole industries such as those related to conferences and concerts. Economists expected a rebounding of the economy in the third quarter due to the easing of coronavirus related restrictions, but saw the possibility of a second wave of infections hanging as a threat over those predictions.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/corona-konjunktur-deutschland-1.5009399|title=Deutsche Wirtschaft bricht weniger stark ein als befürchtet|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=25 August 2020|access-date=2 September 2020}}

Based on preliminary calculations, the Federal Statistical Office reported on 14 January 2021 that the gross domestic product had shrunk by 5.0 per cent in 2020 as compared to the previous year. While price-adjusted private consumption had shrunk by a record 6.0 per cent, this had been partly offset by a government consumption increase of 3.4 per cent, in which the purchase of protective equipment and hospital costs had played a role. For the first time since 2011, Germany recorded a budget deficit, which at 4.8 per cent was second only to that of 1995, when the debts of the Treuhand were transferred to the federal budget.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2021-01/corona-krise-bip-wirtschaftsleistung-einbruch-deutschland-2020-statistisches-bundesamt|title=Deutsche Wirtschaft um fünf Prozent eingebrochen|work=zeit.de, dpa, AFP|date=14 January 2021|access-date=14 January 2021|language=de |last1=Buhtz |first1=Andrea }}

On 26 March, the Federal Constitutional Court stopped a German law for the roll-out of an aid package totalling €750 billion that had been agreed by the European Council in summer 2020. The legal challenge had been mounted by Bernd Lucke and others, who rejected the repayment of debts in the name of all EU countries jointly. The European Commission expressed optimism that the package could still be rolled out from the end of June 2021 as planned.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rnd.de/politik/trotz-karlsruher-stopp-brussel-will-punktlichen-start-der-corona-hilfen-M3H3W367U67MPKLPA24TWPLCIA.html|title=Trotz Karlsruher Stopp: Brüssel will pünktlichen Start der Corona-Hilfen|publisher=RND|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|language=de}} On 24 April, the court rejected the legal challenge. The main court proceedings were still pending.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.br.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/bundesverfassungsgericht-macht-weg-fuer-eu-wiederaufbaufonds-frei|title=Bundesverfassungsgericht macht Weg für EU-Wiederaufbaufonds frei|work=Bayerischer Rundfunk|date=21 April 2021|access-date=24 April 2021|language=de}}

According to a study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research whose results were published on 20 April 2021, private consumption had dropped in 2020 by 6.1 per cent, the largest amount in 70 years, translating to €1,250 per capita. The drop was ascribed to an increased savings ratio and lower incomes during the pandemic.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/covid-19-deutlich-gesunkene-konsumausgaben-im-jahr-2020.1939.de.html?drn:news_id=1250266|title=Deutlich gesunkene Konsumausgaben im Jahr 2020|website=deutschlandfunk.de|publisher=Deutschlandfunk|date=20 April 2021|access-date=20 April 2021|language=de}}

On 31 March, city-county Jena, Thuringia, was the first large German city to introduce an obligation to wear masks, or makeshift masks including scarves, in supermarkets, public transport, and buildings with public traffic, from 6 April, very successfully. On 2 April, the Robert Koch Institute, the federal epidemic authority, changed its previous recommendation that only people with symptoms should wear masks to also include people without symptoms.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/article206979269/Corona-Robert-Koch-Institut-aendert-Einschaetzung-zu-Mundschutz.html |title=Plötzlich ändert das Robert-Koch-Institut seine Einschätzung zum Mundschutz |date=2 April 2020 |work=Die Welt |access-date=2 April 2020 |agency=dpa/AP |language=de}}{{#invoke:Cite news|| url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article207401087/Maskenpflicht-gegen-Corona-Was-in-Ihrem-Bundesland-gilt.html | title=Berlin und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern weiten Maskenpflicht aus – das gilt in Ihrem Bundesland | language=de | work=Die Welt | date=28 April 2020 | first=Kerstin | last=Rottmann | access-date=20 May 2020 }} The district of Nordhausen, Thuringia, followed the example of Jena, with effect from 14 April,{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/regionen/nordhausen/mundschutz-im-suedharz-erst-ab-14-april-pflicht-id228827739.html|title=Mundschutz im Südharz erst ab 14. April Pflicht|work=Thüringer Allgemeine|date=1 April 2020|access-date=12 July 2020}}{{subscription required}} the city of Erfurt on 22 April.{{Cite web |url=https://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/rathaus/sv/allgemeinverfuegungen/135384.html |title=Stadt Erfurt, Allgemeinverfügung [general ruling], 22 April 2020 (Außer Kraft) |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711231209/https://www.erfurt.de/ef/de/rathaus/sv/allgemeinverfuegungen/135384.html |url-status=live }}

German chancellor Merkel and state governors first gave "strong advice" to wear face masks in public starting 20 April. Saxony made it mandatory from that day, Saxony-Anhalt followed starting 23 April and (the rest of) Thurinigia starting 24 April, then finally the governors agreed to make it mandatory, so most other states followed starting 27 April, except Schleswig-Holstein, which introduced requirements starting 29 April, and Berlin, where shops were initially excluded but were then included starting 29 April.{{#invoke:Cite news||last=Chambers |first=Madeline |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-masks/german-city-introduces-face-masks-for-shoppers-as-coronavirus-spreads-idUSKBN21I10K |title=German city introduces face masks for shoppers as coronavirus spreads |date=31 March 2020 |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=Reuters}}

As of 24 April, most German states had no penalties for not wearing a mask. However, not wearing masks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can result in a €25 fine, in Hesse a €50 fine, and in Bavaria, not wearing a face mask while on public transportation or in a shop can result in a €150 fine for first-time offenders. There are exceptions for mask wearing for young children, severely disabled persons, or with those with respiratory diseases such as asthma.{{#invoke:Cite news||last=Staudenmaier |first=Rebecca |date=27 April 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Germany's new face mask regulations explained |url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germanys-new-face-mask-regulations-explained/a-53260732 |url-status=live |publisher=Deutsche Welle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528232225/https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-germanys-new-face-mask-regulations-explained/a-53260732 |archive-date=28 May 2020 |access-date=17 July 2020}}

{{See also|Shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

In March 2020, car manufacturers announced donations of several hundred thousand masks to hospitals, and health authorities. Daimler donated 110,000 masks of their pandemic protection reserve and BMW donated 100,000 breathing masks. Volkswagen announced a donation of 200,000 masks of FFP-2 and FFP-3 types and were looking into manufacturing medical equipment parts.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.focus.de/finanzen/boerse/wirtschaftsticker/firmen-geben-atemschutzmasken-ab-vw-will-medizintechnik-teile-bauen_id_11796515.html |title=Firmen geben Atemschutzmasken ab – VW will Medizintechnik-Teile bauen |date=20 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |language=de}} On 8 April, the CEO of BMW, Oliver Zipse, announced the production of FFP-2 masks both for the general public and for its workers with a target of hundred of thousands of masks each day, together with the donation to Bavaria of two million simpler masks within the following two weeks.{{#invoke:Cite news||title=BMW will jetzt auch Atemmasken herstellen |url=https://boerse.ard.de/aktien/bmw-will-jetzt-auch-atemschutzmasken-herstellen100.html |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=ARD |date=8 April 2020}}

On 28 March, more than three million protective masks bought by Volkswagen arrived at Frankfurt airport from Shanghai. They were the first shipment of a larger donation of medical equipment worth 40 million euros which were brought to hospitals and federal agencies in Hesse and Lower Saxony.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.rtl.de/cms/mehr-als-drei-millionen-atemschutzmasken-aus-china-eingetroffen-4513564.html |title=Mehr als drei Millionen Atemschutzmasken aus China eingetroffen |date=28 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=RTL Television}}

On 30 March, Deutsche Bank donated {{val|375000|fmt=commas}} surgical masks that they had acquired during the SARS epidemic.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/hessen/Deutsche-Bank-spendet-375-000-Schutzmasken-article21680180.html |title=Deutsche Bank spendet 375 000 Schutzmasken |date=30 March 2020 |access-date=31 March 2020 |agency=dpa/lhe |language=de}}

In April, a German company placed an online order for 10 million masks, valued at €15 million, to a fraudulently cloned website of a Dutch supply company. Irish Garda Síochána and Dutch authorities recovered €880,000 from a Dutch account and €498,000 from a Nigerian account, both tied to the scam.{{#invoke:Cite news||author= |date=14 April 2020 |title=Irish citizen questioned over €15m mask scam |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52280334 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608064534/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52280334 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |access-date=21 July 2020 }}

On 3 April, Berlin's Senator of the Interior Andreas Geisel accused the United States agents of appropriating a shipment of 200,000 3M-made face masks meant for Berlin police from the airport in Bangkok.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-accuses-us-of-piracy-over-coronavirus-face-masks-diverted-from-germany-to-us/ |title=Berlin accuses US of 'piracy' over face masks |date=3 April 2020 |work=Politico}}{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/mask-wars-coronavirus-outbidding-demand |title=US accused of 'modern piracy' after diversion of masks meant for Europe |date=3 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403205041/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/mask-wars-coronavirus-outbidding-demand |archive-date=3 April 2020}} Andreas Geisel considered it an "act of modern piracy", SPD acting chairman Rolf Mützenich asked for an investigation and a response from the government,{{#invoke:Cite news||title=Corona-Krise: "Wildwest-Methoden" beim Run auf Schutzmasken |url=https://www.dw.com/de/corona-krise-wildwest-methoden-beim-run-auf-schutzmasken/a-53007588 |access-date=5 April 2020 |agency=ehl/sti (dpa, afp) |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=3 April 2020}} and Berlin mayor Michael Müller blamed Trump for it and called it "inhuman and unacceptable".{{#invoke:Cite news||last1=Chazan |first1=Guy |title=Germany accuses US of face mask piracy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bb52e108-a345-4278-8e72-f1c20e010cda |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=Financial Times |date=4 April 2020}} However, these claims were rejected by 3M officials, who stated that they have "no records of an order for respiratory masks from China for the Berlin police" and Berlin police later admitted the shipment was not seized by U.S. authorities, but was believed to have been bought at a better price, possibly by a German merchant or China.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesspiegel.de%2Fberlin%2F200-000-atemschutzmasken-doch-nicht-konfisziert-lieferung-fuer-berliner-polizei-wurde-in-thailand-zu-besserem-preis-aufgekauft%2F25715448.html&sandbox=1 |title=200,000 respirators not confiscated: Delivery for Berlin police was bought in Thailand at a better price|first=Alexander|last=Fröhlich|date=4 April 2020 |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel}}[https://www.rbb24.de/politik/thema/2020/coronavirus/beitraege_neu/2020/04/atemschutzmasken-berlin-innensenator-geisel-3m.html Senat will Rätsel um verschwundene Masken klären] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412084526/https://www.rbb24.de/politik/thema/2020/coronavirus/beitraege_neu/2020/04/atemschutzmasken-berlin-innensenator-geisel-3m.html |date=12 April 2020 }}, rbb24, 4 April 2020 As a result, Berlin opposition member Burkard Dregger accused the Berlin senate of deception for the purpose of covering up their failure to provide the masks.{{#invoke:Cite news||last1=Latz |first1=Christian |title=Schutzmasken könnten der Polizei weggekauft worden sein |url=https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article228847541/Konzern-Kein-Hinweis-auf-Umleitung-von-Masken-fuer-Polizei.html |access-date=5 April 2020 |publisher=Berliner Morgenpost |date=4 April 2020}} Politico Europe reported that "the Berliners are taking a page straight out of the Trump playbook and not letting facts get in the way of a good story."{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-lets-mask-slip-on-feelings-for-trumps-america/|title=Berlin lets mask slip on feelings for Trump's America|date=10 April 2020|newspaper=Politico Europe}}

German officials reported that U.S. buyers were paying far above the market price and were outbidding European buyers for masks.{{#invoke:Cite news||last1=Lough |first1=Richard |last2=Rinke |first2=Andreas |title=U.S. coronavirus supply spree sparks outrage among allies |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-masks/us-coronavirus-supply-spree-sparks-outrage-among-allies-idUSKBN21L253 |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=Reuters |date=3 April 2020}}

In early March 2021, members of the German parliament Nikolas Löbel and Georg Nüßlein resigned from the ruling CDU/CSU party over a scandal that had broken about them having allegedly earned six-figure sums from brokering sales contracts for face masks. Löbel also resigned from the parliament.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.politico.eu/article/german-mps-leave-ruling-conservative-parties-face-mask-scandals/|title=German MPs quit ruling conservatives over face mask scandals|first=Emma|last=Anderson|work=Politico|date=8 March 2021|access-date=11 March 2021}} Later {{Interlanguage link|Alfred Sauter|de|Alfred Sauter}}, a lawmaker in the Bavarian state parliament, was embroiled in the same scandal and resigned from the CSU. The scandal (which came to be known as {{lang|de|Maskenaffäre}}, "mask affair" in Germany) led to a public discussion on transparency and ethics for such dealings. In response to the scandal, the CDU/CSU party tightened its pertaining rules. The previous day, it had performed poorly at two state elections, which observers saw as being connected to the loss in popularity due to the scandal.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-mask-scandal-bavaria-issues-arrest-warrant/a-56989192|title=German mask scandal: Bavaria issues arrest warrant|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=25 March 2021|access-date=19 April 2021}} In November 2021, the Oberlandesgericht in Munich cleared Nüßlein and Sauter of corruption accusations, arguing that the two had not acted in their parliamentary roles, but instead had made use of their authorities and contacts, to which situation the relevant corruption law did not apply.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/maskenaffaere-oberlandesgericht-muenchen-gibt-csu-politikern-recht-17640473.html|title=Oberlandesgericht München sieht in Maskenaffäre keine Bestechlichkeit|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=18 November 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|language=de}} Löbel had already been cleared of the accusations in July.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/ex-cdu-abgeordneter-pruefverfahren-gegen-loebel-wegen-maskenaffaere-eingestellt-17438134.html|title=Prüfverfahren gegen Löbel wegen Maskenaffäre eingestellt|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=14 July 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|language=de}}

Over the weekend of 5 and 6 June, German weekly Der Spiegel reported that uncertified face masks from a burst of orders in early 2020 had been considered by the Health Ministry for distribution among the homeless and those with disabilities. In a press statement on 6 June, Health Minister Spahn sharply rebuked accusations that he had intended to distribute inferior masks to vulnerable groups as "outrageous", saying that the masks in question had been thoroughly tested and fulfilled all the necessary safety requirements.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dpa-international.com/topic/german-health-minister-dismisses-report-plans-faulty-masks-urn%3Anewsml%3Adpa.com%3A20090101%3A210606-99-884595|title=German health minister dismisses report on plans for faulty masks|work=dpa|date=6 June 2021|access-date=9 June 2021}} Nevertheless, within less than a week, the controversy grew to be regarded as the main friction point in the ruling Grand coalition as the country was approaching the 2021 German federal election in late September. A Tagesschau analysis pointed out that there were two different standards for medical and labour products; and that it remained unclear whether the masks were actually able to reliably protect their wearer.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/spahn-masken-103.html|title=Ein Streit um Prüfnormen|trans-title=An argument about testing norms|first=Dominik|last=Lauck|work=Tagesschau|date=10 June 2021|access-date=10 June 2021|language=de}}

{{See also|Shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

On 29 February 2020, it was reported that supermarket chains, such as Aldi and Lidl, had seen an increase in demand, particularly for tinned food, noodles, toilet paper (whose sales rose by 700% from February to March){{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.bz-berlin.de/deutschland/700-prozent-mehr-klopapier-in-der-corona-krise-verkauft |title=700 Prozent mehr Klopapier in der Corona-Krise verkauft |date=26 March 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |work=Berliner Zeitung |agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur}} and disinfectants. The Ministry of Health of North Rhine-Westphalia advised against panic buying, especially of masks, medications and disinfectants, to leave them for those really in need, assuring there would be no shortage of supply even in the event of a quarantine.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/coronavirus-hamsterkauefe-100.html |title=Coronavirus: Warum Hamsterkäufe Unsinn sind |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229180818/https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/coronavirus-hamsterkauefe-100.html |archive-date=29 February 2020 |publisher=Westdeutscher Rundfunk |url-status=live }} A day earlier, after recent drastic price hikes and shortages especially of masks, medications and disinfectants which were the result of a steep increase in demand, calls had been made to consumers to leave these products for hospitals and medical practices.{{#invoke:Cite news||first=Julia|last=Borsch |url=https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2020/02/28/der-segen-der-freien-marktwirtschaft |title=Kommentar: Der Segen der freien Marktwirtschaft? |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020 |publisher=Deutsche Apothekerzeitung (DAZ.online)}}

{{Main|Protests over COVID-19 policies in Germany}}

{{See also|Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic}}

Since April 2020, several protests have been held in Germany in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the initial cause for the protests were governmental measures to combat the pandemic, in particular the lockdown that had been imposed in March and the mask requirement that came into force in late April, they were also fuelled by negative sentiments regarding a future coronavirus vaccine that the German government – as others in the world – portrayed as the conclusive way out of the pandemic. The vaccination sceptics, or "anti-vaxxers", built in part on beliefs of Anthroposophic medicine.{{#invoke:Cite news||last1= Morris |first1= Loveday |last2= Glucroft |first2= William |date= 3 July 2020 |title= Prospect of a coronavirus vaccine unites anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and hippie moms in Germany |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-vaccine-anti-vaxx-germany/2020/07/02/da7efc7e-acba-11ea-a43b-be9f6494a87d_story.html |newspaper= The Washington Post |access-date= 20 August 2020}}

As of May 2020, only a minority of the German population (an estimated 3%) completely rejected any vaccinations,{{#invoke:Cite news||author= |date= 12 May 2020 |title= In Germany, vaccine fears spark conspiracy theories |url= https://www.dw.com/en/in-germany-vaccine-fears-spark-conspiracy-theories/a-53419073 |publisher= Deutsche Welle |access-date= 20 August 2020}} and the percentage of people who responded in May they would take a COVID-19 vaccine was higher compared to the United States (63% in Germany vs 55% in the US). However, that number was down 16 per cent from the month before, where 79% were sure about getting vaccinated. German health officials and other experts have expressed concerns that the pandemic might allow Germany's anti-vaccination movement to grow its support base.

Apart from a common belief that the government measures were a strongly disproportionate diminishing of constitutional basic rights, the aims of the protesters varied widely: what was described as a "bizarre mix of people"{{#invoke:Cite news||last= Ankel |first= Sophia |date= 24 May 2020 |title= Germany is at the forefront of a global movement of anti-vaxxers obsessed with Bill Gates and it could mean the coronavirus is never defeated |url= https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-becomes-forefront-of-a-global-movement-of-anti-vaxxers-2020-5?r=DE&IR=T |work= Business Insider |access-date= 20 August 2020}} included conspiracy theorists, radical extremists, antisemites, football hooligans and anti-vaxxers as well as "hippie moms" and advocates of alternative medicine. Many protesters vented their anger at Chancellor Merkel, Health Minister Spahn and virologist Drosten. The ire of the protesters also regularly targeted Bill Gates, who they suspected to intend to implant microchips for manipulative purposes through a future COVID-19 vaccination. Some protesters likened themselves to the persecuted in Nazi Germany,{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-protests-coronavirus/a-54456654|title=Coronavirus rallies: Germany's growing anti-lockdown movement|publisher=Deutsche Welle|first=Anne|last=Höhn|date=6 August 2020|access-date=28 December 2020}} which led to strong rebukes by politicians.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/22/german-minister-condemns-lockdown-protesters-nazi-victim-comparisons|title=German minister condemns lockdown protesters' Nazi victim comparisons|agency=Agence France-Presse|work=The Guardian|date=22 November 2020|access-date=29 December 2020}}

Weekly rallies which became known as {{lang|de|Hygienedemos}} (hygiene demonstrations) established themselves in several cities including Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.rbb24.de/politik/thema/2020/coronavirus/beitraege_neu/2020/05/berlin-kommentar-zum-ende-der-coronaproteste-hygienedemos.html|title=Das radikale Ende der Corona-Proteste|first=Olaf|last=Sundermeyer|work=rbb.de|date=28 May 2020|access-date=28 December 2020|language=de}} The {{lang|de|Hygienedemo}} in Berlin on 25 April 2020 attracted around 1,000 participants.{{#invoke:Cite web||title=German conspiracists protest against coronavirus lockdown |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-conspiracists-protest-against-coronavirus-lockdown/a-53243126|publisher=Deutsche Welle| date=25 April 2020 |access-date=28 December 2020}} During May, attendance at the {{lang|de|Hygienedemos}} generally decreased sharply. Observers attributed this to a variety of factors, including the relaxation of the lockdown, and a high level of satisfaction in the general population about the government's handling of the crisis. Another factor was considered to be the participation of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), and on some occasions, violent or extreme right-wing individuals sprouting conspiracy theories, including vegan chef Attila Hildmann, at rallies. Hildmann was apprehended by police in Berlin in July 2020{{#invoke:Cite news||last= Herrmann |first= Steffen |date= 19 July 2020 |title= Bei Demo vor Reichstag: Attila Hildmann von Polizei abgeführt |trans-title= At demonstration in front of Reichstag: Attila Hildmann apprehended by police |url= https://www.fr.de/panorama/attila-hildmann-vegan-koch-corona-verschwoerungstheorie-kaufland-vitalia-verbannen-produkte-zr-13753605.html |work= Frankfurter Rundschau |language=de |access-date= 20 August 2020}} and charged with Volksverhetzung.{{#invoke:Cite news||author= |date= 20 July 2020 |title= Gegen Attila Hildmann wird wegen Volksverhetzung ermittelt |trans-title= Attila Hildmann is under investigation for Volksverhetzung |url= https://www.rbb24.de/politik/beitrag/2020/07/staatsanwaltschaft-cottbus-ermittlung-volksverhetzung-hildmann.html |work= rbb |language=de |access-date= 20 August 2020}}

A resurgence of protests occurred from mid-year as cases began to rise again and the government considered a second lockdown. The group {{lang|de|Querdenken}} emerged as the main force in organising protests in Stuttgart{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-coronavirus-lockdown-protests/2020/11/12/3e9879ea-2422-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html|title=Germany's protests against coronavirus restrictions are becoming increasingly radical|first1=Loveday|last1=Morris|first2=Luisa|last2=Beck|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=12 November 2020|access-date=2 December 2020}} – giving rise to the name Querdenken 711, after the dialling code of the city – and other cities. Two separate rallies on 29 August 2020 drew a total of around 38,000 participants, with police making around 300 arrests. The protest drew particular attention for the attempted storming of the Reichstag, which houses the German parliament, by several hundred people, some of whom were holding insignia from the Reichsbürger movement.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53959552|title=Germany coronavirus: Hundreds arrested in German 'anti-corona' protests|publisher=BBC|date=30 August 2020|access-date=28 December 2020}} There were increasing concerns that the rallies were becoming a platform for far-right, and even extremist, views.

After a hiatus in large protests spanning several months, a protest in Kassel on 20 March 2021 drew over 20,000 attendants; violent scuffles with police occurred that day.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-anti-lockdown-protest-turns-violent-in-kassel/a-56938225|title=Germany: Anti-lockdown protest turns violent in Kassel|first=Timothy|last=Jones|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=20 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326091417/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-anti-lockdown-protest-turns-violent-in-kassel/a-56938225|url-status=live}} As the third wave of the pandemic receded between April and June 2021, protests became smaller; politologist Josef Holnburger said to broadcaster MDR that a downward trend in followership of social media channels of the Querdenken movement had been observed by him and colleagues as early as November 2020, which they related to repeated failures of setting up large street demonstrations since that time. Holnburger expressed worries about radicalization of parts of the chats he observed, however.{{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/corona-querdenken-bewegung-ende-100.html|title=Politologe: "Querdenker" suchen sich neue Themen|first=Lydia|last=Jakobi|publisher=MDR|date=17 June 2021|access-date=26 July 2021|language=de|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726210617/https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/corona-querdenken-bewegung-ende-100.html|url-status=live}}

On 18 September 2021, a radicalized opponent of the measures to contain the pandemic fatally shot a 20-year-old student working at a gas station in Idar-Oberstein.{{#invoke:Cite web||last=Online|first=FOCUS|title=Tankstellen-Killer fiel nie polizeilich auf: Die Waffen hat er nicht legal besessen|url=https://www.focus.de/panorama/welt/taeter-fluechtete-zu-fuss-mann-erschiesst-tankstellen-kassierer-als-zeichen-gegen-maskenpflicht_id_24258394.html|access-date=2021-09-22|website=FOCUS Online|language=de}} The student had refused to sell beer to the 49-year-old perpetrator as he was not wearing a mask. The perpetrator left the gas station, only to return some time later with a gun and shot the cashier in the head.{{#invoke:Cite web||title=Das war eine politische Tat|url=https://www.zeit.de/zustimmung?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeit.de%2Fgesellschaft%2Fzeitgeschehen%2F2021-09%2Fidar-oberstein-mord-tankstelle-maskenpflicht-streit-querdenker-corona-leugner|first=Christian|last=Vooren|access-date=2021-09-22|work=Die Zeit}} After turning himself in to police, he stated that he "wanted to set an example". The act was condemned by broad sections of the media, politics and the population, while the increasingly radicalizing corona deniers and corona gamblers celebrated the perpetrator and the act in their areas of retreat on the Internet.{{#invoke:Cite news||title=Rechte jubeln über Mord von Idar-Oberstein|url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/themen/reportage/nach-streit-um-maskenpflicht-rechte-jubeln-ueber-mord-von-idar-oberstein/27631262.html|first=Sebastian|last=Leber|access-date=2021-09-22|work=Der Tagesspiegel|date=21 September 2021|language=de}} Chancellor Angela Merkel called the act "heinous". The three main contenders in the federal elections on 26 September all expressed their shock at the killing.{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58635103|title=German cashier shooting linked to Covid-19 conspiracies|work=BBC|date=22 September 2021}} Minister for Justice Christine Lambrecht said that the country had to "counter the radicalisation of coronavirus deniers who are willing to use violence with all possible means".{{#invoke:Cite news||url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/21/germany-shocked-after-petrol-station-killing-over-covid-mask-row|title=Petrol station killing over COVID mask row shocks Germany|work=Al Jazeera|date=21 September 2021}}

{{main|Statistics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany}}

{{Commons category}}

• 2020 in Germany
• COVID-19 pandemic death rates by country
• COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
• COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
• National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

{{#invoke:Portal bar|main|COVID-19|Germany|Medicine|Viruses}}

{{reflist|2}}

• {{Cite magazine |author-link=Christian Drosten |date=21 March 2020 |orig-year=2020-03-20 |editor-last=Schumann |editor-first=Florian |title="Wir müssen jetzt die Fälle senken. Sonst schaffen wir es nicht": Der Virologe Christian Drosten leitet Deutschland durch die Pandemie. Ein Gespräch über Ausgangssperren, die Dauer der Krise – und wie sie unser Leben verändert. |trans-title=We Have To Bring Down the Number of Cases Now. Otherwise We Won't Be Able To Handle It |url=https://www.zeit.de/wissen/gesundheit/2020-03/christian-drosten-coronavirus-pandemic-germany-virologist-charite/komplettansicht |magazine=Die Zeit |type=Interview |language=de, en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322170751/https://www.zeit.de/wissen/gesundheit/2020-03/christian-drosten-coronavirus-pandemic-germany-virologist-charite/komplettansicht |archive-date=22 March 2020 |access-date=22 March 2020 |author-first=Christian |author-last=Drosten |url-status=live}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20200321161923/https://www.zeit.de/wissen/gesundheit/2020-03/christian-drosten-coronavirus-pandemie-deutschland-virologe-charite Christian Drosten: "Wir müssen jetzt die Fälle senken. Sonst schaffen wir es nicht" | ZEIT ONLINE]

• {{#invoke:Cite web||url=https://coronavirus-global.com/germany |title=Coronavirus Germany updates and news |language=en, de, fr, es, pt, it, sv, no, fi, et, ru |trans-title=Latest news and statistics of coronavirus in Germany. |access-date=4 April 2020}}
• [https://www.zeit.de/wissen/gesundheit/2020-03/coronavirus-deutschland-infektionen-faelle-verbreitung-epidemie-karte Coronavirus in Deutschland] Real-time map with numbers from the 401 districts of Germany, and statistics for other countries
• [https://interaktiv.morgenpost.de/corona-virus-karte-infektionen-deutschland-weltweit/ Coronavirus: Echtzeit-Karte zeigt Zahl der Infektionen in Deutschland, Europa und weltweit] – map with several statistics on the virus in Germany and worldwide
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20200304094209/http://coronamapper.com/ CoronaMapper] – map with various updated statistics
• Esri (German): [https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/478220a4c454480e823b17327b2bf1d4/page/page_1/ COVID-19 Dashboard] (RKI-Data for States and Districts)
• [https://survstat.rki.de/Content/Query/Create.aspx SurvStat@RKI 2.0] (survstat.rki.de) web page for querying diseases and pathogens reported to the RKI, including COVID-19. Output option in English.
• Wikiversity:COVID-19/All-cause deaths/Germany

{{#invoke:COVID-19 pandemic|}}

Germany

Germany

Category:Disease outbreaks in Germany

coronavirus pandemic in Germany

coronavirus pandemic in Germany