Coronavirus to worsen in coming months, Germany’s Merkel warns

The German Chancellor says life would not return to normal until a vaccine to combat Covid-19 had been developed

Merkel urges citizens not to drop their guard against the virus as Germany’s daily infection rate rises

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: DPA

Published: 9:21pm, 28 Aug 2020Updated: 9:38pm, 28 Aug 2020

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday the coronavirus pandemic was likely to worsen in coming months, and that life would not return to normal until a vaccine to combat it had been developed.

Western Europe’s longest serving leader also called on the world to accelerate the fight against global warming, and for Germany and Europe to maintain dialogue with other major powers through difficult times while beating the drum for democracy.

But as Merkel makes preparations to step down before the next national election in October 2021, she made clear that she expects the pandemic to define her last year in office.

Urging citizens not to drop their guard against the virus as Germany’s daily infection rate rises, she told a news conference: “This is a serious matter, as serious as it’s ever been, and you need to carry on taking it seriously.”

Even though Germany would not fully repay debt incurred due to relief measures to offset the virus’s economic impact until 2058, such stimulus was essential as the economy could not be allowed to grind to a halt, she said.

Her government would also work to foster social cohesion in the face of the pandemic, focusing on protecting children and other vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and low-income families, from its effects.