As Germany reached 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, here is a look at some of the significant events that happened in the country during the outbreak: January 27, 2020 First case confirmed in Germany. A man in the Starnberg region of Bavaria tested positive. Authorities said the risk of the virus spreading in Germany remained low. February 12, 2020 Health Minister Jens Spahn tells German lawmakers that “it can’t completely rule out that a regionally restricted epidemic in China turns into a global pandemic.” February 24, 2020 In view of the worsening situation in Italy, the German government revises its assessment and warns that the virus can be expected to spread in Germany too. March 4, 2020 Leipzig book fair is canceled; cancellations of other large events follow. March 10, 2020 All 16 German states have confirmed coronavirus cases. A national crisis unit recommends canceling all large events with more than 1,000 participants; within days, most states have closed schools. March 18, 2020 In televised address, Merkel warns of “historic” challenge. March 22, 2020 First nationwide lockdown agreed. April 6, 2020 Germany records 100,000th case. April 20, 2020 Some restrictions are eased. May 16, 2020 Bundesliga soccer matches resume, without spectators. June 23, 2020 Western region of Guetersloh goes into lockdown after an outbreak at a slaughterhouse. August 1, 2020 Mass protest in Berlin, and again on August 29, when protesters try to storm Reichstag. October 16, 2020 Number of daily confirmed cases reaches new record high of more than 7,000. October 24, 2020 Number of COVID-19 deaths in Germany passes 10,000. October 28, 2020 Federal and state authorities agree on partial lockdown, limiting social contacts to two households. November 5, 2020 Number of new daily infections in Germany passes 20,000. December 8, 2020 Eastern state of Saxony announces “hard lockdown” closing schools, daycares and most stores. Other states follow suit with lockdown initially scheduled to run for the Christmas period but ends up lasting must longer. December 26, 2020 101-year-old Edith Kwoizalla becomes first person in Germany to receive COVID-19 vaccine, a day before the European Union's official rollout. January 20, 2021 Germany passes 50,000 deaths mark. February 17, 2021 Germany’s disease control agency says a mutated variant of coronavirus first detected in Britain is spreading rapidly in the country. March 6, 2021 First rapid self-tests for COVID-19 sold in German pharmacies. March 23, 2021 Federal and state authorities agree on nationwide Easter lockdown. The decision is reversed a day later. April 24, 2021 Nationwide “emergency brake” comes into force in Germany due to rising number of hospitalisations. April 28, 2021 Germany’s domestic intelligence agency puts parts of anti-lockdown “Querdenken” movement under surveillance. May 14, 2021 Germany sets single-day record for vaccinations of 1.35 million doses. June 7, 2021 Germany lifts prioritisation for vaccinations. July 13, 2021 Merkel says Germany doesn’t plan compulsory vaccinations like in France. August 23, 2021 Germany introduces so-called 3G rules requiring vaccination, recovery or negative test certificates to access restaurants, pools and hairdressers. September 26, 2021 German national election; Merkel’s party suffers narrow defeat after a campaign in which coronavirus measures going forward weren't a major issue. October 11, 2021 Germany stops offering free rapid tests to people over 12; decision is reversed on November 13. October 18, 2021 Health Minister Jens Spahn says he plans to let “epidemic situation of national significance” expire at the end of November, saying risk of infection for vaccinated people is low. October 23, 2021 Spahn says he favors ending coronavirus measures soon. November 1, 2021 Unvaccinated people who have to go into quarantine lose right to sick pay. November 11, 2021 Germany records 50,000 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the first time in a single day. November 18, 2021 Parliament approves new, less stringent pandemic law. November 24, 2021 Incoming government announces plans to create an expert team to provide daily scientific advice on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. November 25, 2021 Germany's disease control agency reports that more than 100,000 people have died from COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak.
