COVID-19: Germany shuts down malls, bars, sports venues

BERLIN (AA) - Germany announced on Monday that all shopping malls, bars, and sport venues across the country will be closed to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The federal government and premiers of the 16 federal states agreed on drastic measures after the number of infected people in the country jumped 1,233 on Monday, bringing the total to 7,046.

According to a press release by the federal government, all non-essential shops, bars, nightclubs, concert halls, and museums will be temporarily closed in an attempt to restrict social contact in the public sphere.

Essential services such as supermarkets, drugstores, post offices, banks, and gas stations will remain open.

The agreement also bans gatherings in places of worship, including mosques, churches, and synagogues.

Earlier on Monday, Germany partially closed its borders and reintroduced border checks with France, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Denmark.

Germany has been the third-worst-affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, after Italy and Spain.

The coronavirus death toll in Germany has reached 14, according to statements by health authorities in the federal states.