Germany to Extend Coronavirus Curbs Despite Criticism over Vaccine Rollout

Germany officials will hold preliminary talks on Monday on extending stricter lockdown measures beyond January 10, according to Bloomberg. The lockdown measures include closing schools and non-essential stores even as the government faces criticism over the vaccination program’s delays. 

• Reports have held that authorities have agreed to prolong curbs until January 31
• The projected curbs come when Germany’s daily tally of virus cases and deaths reached record numbers last week, before falling back over the New Year.
• Germany and the EU started vaccinations on December 27, but authorities warn it will take months for the immunization effort to have tangible impacts on curbing virus spread.
• So far, Germany has vaccinated less than 0.3% of its population, lower than 1.3% in the U.S and 1.4% in Britain.
• Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has been blamed for low vaccinations as she prevented a plan for a national vaccine alliance and instead pushed for an EU-wide solution, which led to a lack of BioNTech shots

German stocks are currently gaining. DAX is up 1.23%