German leaders have agreed to a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated residents, as an increase in Covid infections pushes the nation’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse
Residents who aren’t protected against Covid-19 will be barred from most essential businesses, such as supermarkets and pharmacies.
Outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor Olaf Scholz announced the measures together.
Protests have erupted throughout several regions, including the capital city of Berlin.
Unlike many other nations, those who are recently recovered from Covid-19 and are unvaccinated will be covered by the ban.
Under the tightened restrictions, unvaccinated people can only meet two people from another household.
Bars and nightclubs will also be forced to shut down in regions with a case rate that is above 350 cases per 100-thousand.
This all follows a push by the European Commission to entice member nations to enforce mandatory vaccines, with Merkel and Olaf Scholz backing this proposal.
Vaccine mandates could be voted through parliament within the next few months… and come into effect from February.
