Germany’s federal and state governments have agreed to introduce an emergency month-long lockdown that includes the closure of restaurants, bars, gyms, cosmetic studios and theatres to contain the spread of coronavirus cases that risks overwhelming hospitals.

Professional sports teams will play to empty stadiums, but schools and shops will stay open.

The decision came after Robert Koch Institute, the country’s disease control agency, announced a record 14,964 new confirmed cases were reported across the country in the past day.

As of 28 October 2020, Germany has officially reported 464,239 cases, about 10,183 deaths, and approximately 332,800 recoveries. (ILKHA)