Situation Outside Berlin Central Station as Gov't Discusses Travel Restrictions

16:28 GMT, 15 January 2021

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jorge Láscar / Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station)

Germany saw virus-related daily deaths hit a record high of 1,244 on Thursday, 14 January, taking the toll to 43,881. The country is on the way to pass the 2 million cases mark this week, after another 25,164 cases in the past day.

Sputnik

Sputnik comes live from Berlin Central Station this Friday, 15 January, as a possible 15km travel ban may be introduced.

On Thursday, local media reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to discuss a complete national shutdown with regional governors.

New restrictions — dubbed a "mega-lockdown" by the Bild daily — may include a complete halt to local and long-distance public transport and significantly limit reasonable excuses for leaving home.

Several states have reportedly insisted on making working from home the new normal and ordering that FFP2 respirators - which filter out more particles than cloth coverings - be worn.

Nothing has been agreed yet, but the new rules would stay in place until the end of February if adopted. The existing restrictions were set for review on 25 January.

Follow Sputnik feed for more