Several of Germany’s top scientists have come together to sign a statement calling for politicians to impose strict lockdown measures over the Christmas period and into the New Year, to combat the continued spread of coronavirus in Germany.

Scientists devise strict lockdown plan

A group of researchers at the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina published a statement on Tuesday, calling for tough lockdown restrictions in order to “quickly and drastically reduce the excessive number of new infections.” In their statement, the Academy outlined a two-step plan that will help address the increasingly alarming coronavirus situation in Germany.

The first stage of the plan would commence from December 14, with people being encouraged to work from home and children being kept away from school. All group activities, including sports, would be prohibited. The second stage, which would last from Christmas until January 10, would see public life “largely suspended.” All but essential shops and services would have to close during this period. Gatherings and holidays would also be prohibited.

The Academy’s statement was signed by 28 scientists from different institutions and disciplines including Christian Drosten, a virologist at Charité, educational researcher Ute Frevert and health psychologist Jutta Mata. The president of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, and Clemens Fuest, the president of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, have also signed the statement.

Restrictions on Christmas gatherings

The National Academy also pleaded with the government to revisit their stance on Christmas gatherings; Angela Merkel and the leaders of the Federal States had previously agreed to relax the country’s coronavirus restrictions over Christmas and allow up to 10 people from any number of households to get together in some states.

The Academy has said that “contacts [over the Christmas period] should only take place in a very close circle of family or friends,” but did not stipulate exactly how many people should be permitted to gather. People should refrain from meeting anyone outside of their direct contact circle over the holidays and so should also refrain from travelling and visiting relatives.

The Academy’s researchers announced that, in a worst-case scenario, Germany could expect 50.000 new coronavirus infections daily if the governments planned relaxation of restrictions over the festive period goes ahead. They warned that infection rates could explode, since “the Christmas period and the turn of the year, with their traditionally intensified and close social contacts, hold great risks for a further deterioration of the infection situation.”