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Merkel Warns Against Easing Restrictions Too Quickly

VOA News

   German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned German lawmakers some regions in
   the nation were moving too quickly to ease COVID-19 restrictions,
   risking a setback to the progress the country has made in getting the
   virus under control.

   In an address to the Bundestag, the lower house of the German
   parliament, Merkel said she fully supports the decision made last week
   -- after consultations with regional governors -- to begin easing some
   restrictions, such as allowing smaller businesses to reopen. But she
   said she is concerned some areas are relaxing those rules too quickly.

   Merkel said nobody likes to hear it but "we are not living in the final
   phase of the pandemic, but still at the beginning." She said Germany's
   early success bought them time that has been used to bolster the health
   care system and moving too quickly could set all that back.

   Turning the European Union, the German chancellor said in the spirit of
   solidarity, Germany should be willing to contribute more to the EU
   budget to help other nations in the region recover economically.

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