German chancellor calls COVID-19 ‘biggest challenge since WWII’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest challenge the country has faced “since the Second World War”.

"The situation is serious. Take it seriously. Not since German reunification, no, not since the Second World War has our country faced a challenge that depends so much on our collective solidarity," Merkel said in a televised address on Wednesday.

In her dramatic appeal, Merkel called on every single German citizen to heed sweeping confinement measures and play a part in slowing down the novel virus that has struck the entire world and triggered unprecedented peace-time lockdowns.

"I truly believe we can succeed in this task, if all citizens truly understand their own tasks," she added.

Merkel, who hails from Germany's former communist East, said she understood how hard it was to give up "hard-fought rights" like freedom of movement and travel.

Such decisions were never taken lightly in a democracy, she said, and could only be temporary. "But they are necessary right now to save lives."

Merkel’s televised speech was particularly significant as she had never taken to the airwaves to address citizens directly outside of traditional New Year's greetings despite having faced blows like the 2008 financial crisis, the 2015 refugee crisis and Brexit during her 15-year service.

Merkel's historic speech echoed that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who in a somber address on Monday likened the outbreak to war after ordering almost the entire population to stay at home for at least two weeks.

Germany is among the countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with latest figures showing 12 deaths and 8,198 confirmed cases on Wednesday, a jump of 1,042 from the previous day.

Federal and local governments have shut down schools, many businesses and public spaces in recent days in increasingly desperate attempts to slow the spread of the virus.

The country has however stopped short of ordering people to stay home, in contrast with the tougher restrictions introduced in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Yet Germans have continued to go outside to enjoy the spring sunshine and socialize, even holding "corona parties" as the authorities' struggle to hammer home the message that people must avoid social contacts.

MG