how the state premiers wrestling with the question given the advance of coronavirus mutations in germany how soon will it be possible to open up. the services. yes the time between now and the middle of march is when the experts are telling us that the mutated virus could gain the upper hand over the initial strain. by that it's crucial that we lower the infection rate and we interrupt. and go straight to our borders and the. ones that aren't i think the country. through this disaster and into that come of water since the outbreak of the pandemic we have jointly trying to stand against the virus it is a nation i thought it's. something which we all. touched by old young and answer children rural urban areas politics administration conscious sports churches everybody all our lives and the way in live together are affected and this year we have all of us learned how the virus works and what works against it. and learning it doesn't mean one gets it right from the word go to correct something one has done once it's part of it as we have done with our mask wearing recommendation. but that is

forward with coronavirus restrictions chancellor angela merkel is set to meet with the country's 16 state premiers she's already made it clear that she wants to see the current national lockdown extended until the end of the month some states are expected to push back at an already drawn up plans to begin gradually reopening schools and childcare centers from next. let's get more on that from our chief political correspondent. and other big discussion today about the way forward in germany or can we expect. well we can expect at the very least the current lockdown which has been in place almost 2 not months now just before christmas to be extended into march we're getting some reports that say that the draft document even foresees the 14th of march as the next target so that would mean that need to brace themselves for yet more lockdown continuing restrictions are the although we don't expect more restrictions to be implemented but yes another plea by the german chancellor to sit tight as germany is bracing itself for the arrival in force of those mutations from britain but the one that's causing

the moment only essential shops are open so that is a big exception to the rule and the varian state premier justify that decision by saying that's going to the hairdressers is not just a question of hygiene for many specially the elderly it is also a question of a life in dignity so that there really isn't there and regarding schools and kindergartens there's agreement across the board that the gap in education is widening here in germany in a dangerous way because schools are closed and many children are essentially cut off from at says to schools to education and to their peers. so what about vaccination there many germans are angry that not even 3 percent of the population of the shop so far other countries are far ahead is the realization campaign picking up speed but now. well a novelty in wednesday's video conference was that the health minister attended the video conference as well and he did present a more detailed outlook when it comes to the vaccination strategy there has been a lot of frustration a lot of criticism a big blame game going on but there is hope now that things will

legal situation here she said for example that she would have preferred a situation where the state premier as would have based their decision making on when it comes to reopening schools and kindergartens on the number of new infections bazzi said she's also facing the reality that state premiers when it comes to reopening schools and cannot guns have lots of other factors to take into account and so she staying out of that and she is very aware she said that she can't interfere that means the elections coming up for many of these state premiers she also mentioned the vaccination vaccination strategy that has gone off to a very very slow start here in germany and pointed also to europe and defended the decision to leave the buying of the vaca vaccination of the vaccines to the european union what did she have to say about that. it is very rare when angle americal uses. political tools like referring to the world war as of cause one of germany's. i mean germany's current modern germany's biggest traumatizes the until america referred to world war 2 as the reference point from which on words

democrats who demanded that this hansen inform parliament before those key meetings with the state premiers and not afterwards and at the same time challenging her on the very aspect of using all the digital the technical abilities to full force to beat and to live with this pandemic that is something i'm going to call says germany will have to learn the world will have to learn and there was this looming fear of those mutations getting the upper hand something she yesterday evening said would simply happen that that is the fact and she wants to nip that potential 3rd wave building up in the bud now setting a new target after the whole country was so working towards those that infection rate of 50 people 210-0000 habitants within the space of 7 days that has now been lowered to 35 so once again the german chancellor here asking for yet more patience under the ground of bringing down to 35 factional it has been improving over the last couple of weeks. government justifying standing then the lockdown for another month. well that's another 3 weeks and really that 1st figure of 50 was just as r

there is a big fear of a sudden spike in new numbers again which is why anglo-american and the state premiers seem to agree that now is not the time to lift the restrictions yet which is why the draft paper that we've seen that is the basis for those talks going on in the chancery and via video conference says that the current restrictions will probably be extended until the 7th of march at least until america is said to want them to be extended until the 14th of march so there's going to be a debate there and then the draft paper also says that the issue of reopening schools and kindergartens and just when and how it's going to be up to the states themselves to decide and one thing seems to be clear already that head dresses might be able to reopen as early as the 1st of march now. germany's federal system has worked for and against it in this crisis is that as it's prompted people to say that things need to change. well most people do seem to agree that germany did do fairly well during the 1st wave of the pandemic last year last spring because of its federal structure because of course loc

forward with coronavirus restrictions chancellor angela merkel is set to meet with the country's 16 state premiers she's already made it clear that she wants to see the current national lockdown extended until the end of the month but some states are expected to push back having already drawn up plans to begin gradually reopening schools and childcare centers beginning next week let's get more now from d.w. chief political editor of the look of her who is standing by with the view from berlin and michelle another big discussion today about the way forward for germany what are the main issues at hand. lockdown can be extended and the current draft document which is still in the making and is about to be probably shaken up again this afternoon reads that that lockdown could be extended until the 14th of march and that every of the 16 federal states here in germany would make up their own minds on whether to reopen schools and in which shape or form this is the right time to remind everybody that in the end angle americal come would you decide very much it is always up to the individual states to tak

vaccination program has been so slow here so uncle americal defended the decision taken with the 16 state premiers on wednesday night that now is not the time for a proper return to normality and instead the lockdown will be extended till the 7th of march medical had her way it would have been the 14th of march so even later and they will meet again on the 3rd of march to reassess the situation and was also new is that they're now saying that in order for the 1st reopening steps to be able to be taken they have to reach the districts have to reach a number of new infections of 35 per 100007 days rather than 50 so in century under medical asked for yet more patients ok and she's made the goal really abundantly clear was that goal shared by the rest of parliament. well the goal to fight the virus is of course one that is shared by everybody but there was a lot of criticism of the details so by the far right of the party for example that questions the entire decision making process as factually and legally wrong and the liberal f.t.p. party again said the process was wrong we're going to start to deb

full swing and the signal seems to been from the chancellor herself who wants all of those 16 state premiers on board and ready to deliver to avoid another disappointment within the wider public but no doubt the public is waiting and every day counts and there's going to be some pretty tough questions i would imagine presented before the health minister as he heads to the bundestag today and faces those questions just walk us through a little bit what's expected. absolutely and there's also more of a than a hint of electioneering also going on with general elections here in september and again spawn will face questions from the opposition from all parties and he will have to map out what his plan is to deliver but once again it is down to each of those 16 federal states today actually set up those testing centers make sure that individual citizens can receive those tests and that's been already a hindrance in the past with the distribution of mass but also with the vaccine rollout and that next test really is very close as the minister and i'm sure he will stress this today in parliament wil

went down behind the chancellor in berlin another showdown about the lockdown machall and the state premiers wrestling with the question given the advance of coronavirus mutations in germany how soon will it be possible to open up. yes the time between now and the middle of march is when the experts are telling us that the mutated virus could gain the upper hand over the initial strain. it's crucial that we lower the infection rate in this period and that's why we need to be so careful . until at least the 7th of march most restrictions will remain in place with 2 notable exceptions schools and kindergartens will start to open from the 22nd of february and hairdressers will be able to get back to work from the 1st of march and move many germans are longing for the. aggressor is a great loss my niece is cutting mine at the moment as well as she can. the next target is to start opening up shops and businesses that will be allowed in places where the 7 day infection number falls to 35 but 100000 people but it's not going to happen just yet caution is still the guiding principle. for closing thi

merkel in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and day kids should reopen markel would have preferred more caution on this point by into giving in as she's done before merkel sought to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. in the fashion. well over 60000 people have now died they are around mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than hyped to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government form funding we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today our vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations. even though here so loans will begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to strict hygiene measures many

starting on sunday german leaders have expressed particular concern about the latest outbreak state premier says tyrol is now is not taking the situation seriously it is funny for cha boards it seems like a deja vu we're driving through to rule the very same state you know that was a major sport in europe when the pandemic began is making headlines by becoming a hot spot again this time with a new variant from south africa and most cases stem from here shots a district interior 60 percent of at least 400 cases this makes austria the 2nd most infected country after south africa with a coronavirus mutation. but with carnival season in full swing the people here don't seem to be worried much maybe only met up for a little north and will be again in our midst of it at the house of us beat the kite this is a says. it is the same thing that happened in ishqiya last year there is a concentrated move to look for someone to blame myself for i know. this but it's always to blame anyway people's behavior politics my opinions are split over this question here and i hate this one feels reality. should h

there is a big fear of a sudden spike in new numbers again which is why i'm going back on the state premiers seem to agree that now is not the time to lift the restrictions yet which is why the draft paper that we've seen that is the basis for those talks going on in the chancery and via video conference says that the current restrictions will probably be extended until the 7th of march at least until america is said to want them to be extended until the 14th of march that there's going to be a debate there and then the draft paper also says that the issue of reopening schools and kindergartens and just when and how it's going to be up to the states themselves to decide and one thing seems to be clear already that headdress is might be able to reopen as early as the 1st of march now. germany's federal system has worked for and against this crisis is that this prompted people to say that things need to change. well most people do seem to agree that germany did do fairly well during the 1st wave of the pandemic last year last spring because of its federal structure because of calls local clust

aggressive and significantly more contagious than the original virus which was merkel in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and day kids should reopen michael would have preferred more caution on this point into giving in as she's done before medical sort to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. it's a fashion. well over 60000 people have now died they are our mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict the morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic is up and. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than hyped to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government. from pundit we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today our vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations to work i've even though hair

forward with coronavirus restrictions chancellor angela merkel is set to meet with the country's 16 state premiers she's already made it clear that she wants to see the current national lockdown extended until the end of the month but some states are expected to push back having already drawn up plans to begin gradually reopening schools and childcare centers from next week. let's get the details from our political correspondent nina has who is standing by with a view from berlin what is going to be discussed today what are the main sticking points. well sarah i think it's important to remind everybody where germany's standing at the moment so we've seen infection numbers go down over the last couple of weeks but that is mainly due to the fact that we have been in a nationwide lockdown for almost 2 months now and so lot of people are asking for the new excuse me country to reopen again gradually at least but there is a big fear at the same time of the coronavirus mutations especially the u.k. variant is widespread in germany as well and so politicians are very wary of reopening too fast because th

there is a big fear of a sudden spike in new numbers again which is why angle america and the state premiers seem to agree that now is not the time to lift the restrictions yet which is why the draft paper that we've seen that is the basis for those talks going on in the chancery and via video conference says that the current restrictions will probably be extended until the 7th of march at least until america is said to want them to be extended until the 14th of march so there's going to be a debate there and then the draft paper also says that the issue of reopening schools and kindergartens and just when and how it's going to be up to the states themselves to decide and one thing seems to be clear already that head dresses might be able to reopen as early as the 1st of march now germany's federal system has worked for and against this crisis is that as it's prompted people to say that things need to change. well most people do seem to agree that germany did do fairly well during the 1st wave of the pandemic last year last spring because of its federal structure because of calls local clust

shops are open in germany so that is a big exception to the rule and the varian state prime min state premier michael souter justify the decision by saying going to the had dresses is also a question especially for the elderly of a life in dignity. correspondent nina thank you. and following angle americal speech in the german parliament our chief political editor michelle cosigner spoke with a member of the parliament who is one of germany's leading health experts about the chancellor's lockdown strategy. it's a lot of art and usually the german tanks i didn't mention europe in her address today can't only do this pandemic alive indeed it is impossible for us to be suspended may go on i was a little surprised as i'm sure narco did not mention europe says time we are in this together we can only defeat the core of it and in particular the mutants that are currently running the variance if we keep working for gas a europe is becoming more important or less important with the new wave of mutations europe does seem to have failed when it comes to vaccinations what has to happen now it is extreme

state premier victoria says there is no cause for alarm but authorities have to work on the assumptione man infected others. >> most people will be deemed to be casual contact, meaning they merely have to have a test. because of this, organizers confirmed no play take place thursday at melbourne park. there will be an update on the schedule for friday later on. ros: the tournament starts next week and the leader has not been without his chaenges before this. because of strict covid laws, players have already bn confined to their rooms. this is the british player hannah watson 5k in her room. while se players were allowed to leave their hotel, 70 or so players had to stay inside for weeks because their flights had positive cases on board. i have been speaking to a correspondent in london. >> across other states in australia, we have seen premieres slammed their cities shot over single cas. because australia has eliminated coronavirus, coronavirus is only entering through hotel quarantine and through the borders, and as you can say, there are strict controls. in victoria's case, that sta

merkel in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and day kids should reopen michael would have preferred more caution on this point buy into giving in as she's done before medical sort to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. he's a fresh dog it's a get well over 60000 people have now died they are our mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict it morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic. vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than heart to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government . form pundit we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today all vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations to work over. even though here so long as we'll begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to str

the premier of victoria state, daniel andrews, the premier of victoria state, danielandrews, is the premiern top of these outbreaks. know how to get on top of these outbreaks-— know how to get on top of these outbreaks. , , , ., outbreaks. very briefly, it will go ahead, outbreaks. very briefly, it will go ahead. won't _ outbreaks. very briefly, it will go ahead, won't it? _ outbreaks. very briefly, it will go ahead, won't it? yes, _ outbreaks. very briefly, it will go ahead, won't it? yes, you'd - outbreaks. very briefly, it will go i ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine it would. there _ ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine it would. there might _ ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine it would. there might be _ ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine it would. there might be a - ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine it would. there might be a few- ahead, won't it? yes, you'd imagine i it would. there might be a few bumps along the way and certainly, that's been the case since hundreds of players and support staff were flown in to australia, and the australian authorities are externally determined t

far there are not enough people who are immune to the virus so far so anglo american under 16 state premiers of the 16 federal state here in germany agree that now is not the time despite the lower numbers for a proper return to normality and the draft discussion paper that is the basis for this afternoon's talks says that the plan is to extend the current lockdown until the 14th of march and to then let the federal states decide whether to reopen schools and kindergartens before that and in which shape and form and then there's going to be a big discussion about figures just which rate of new infection rates need to be reached in order for the states to gradually start the reopening process ok so you know a lot of factors to consider there anyhow you know meantime there's there's a there's a big debate actually reaching out in the country on the apparent downsides of germany's federalism they're coming up in political discussions for example does the current crisis have the fuel to change the system just to listen a little bit there. well germany did do very well during the 1st wave of the

merkle in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and day kids should reopen markel would have preferred more caution on this point ended up giving in as she's done before merkel sought to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany in the fashion. well over 60000 people have now died they are our mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than heart to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government form ponder we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations to work over. even though here so long as we'll begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to strict hygiene measur

this federal structure is at the same time of course when it comes to issues like education the state premiers say we need a federal structure we need to have the ultimate say about which measures to impose and which not. you know and i thank you. well the german leaders in not meeting may want to look north for inspiration to the city of rostock which has made it through the winter months with exceptionally low numbers of covered 19 cases w. put on a face mask and went there to find out the secret of its success. is it the cool baltic greece or the rather calm and collected mindset of people in the north of germany so far they have made it well through the covert crisis especially here in the city of boston infection numbers are currently lower than the german everett. to supernews we are disciplined northern germans are quite different from everyone else. so we're a bit more nordic and distance anyway maybe that's our secret recipe to be allowed to get so hard to try to break it down put in rules so that it doesn't increase on the seniority because there's the secrets timing might have been

merkel in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and day kids should reopen michael would have preferred more caution on this point by into giving in as she's done before merkel sought to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. in the fashion of. well over 60000 people have now died they are our mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than hyped to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government. form funding we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stragglers today vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations. even though his loans will begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to strict hygiene measures many other

sort of the ground that they're going to meet in and at the same time uncle americal and the state premiers are going to discuss just when this 1st reopening steps can be taken so the draft paper that we've seen that is the basis for discussion says that the lockdown will continue till the 14th of month of march now this can of course still be shaken up but then we're expecting a long debate as well about just which infection rates need to be reached in order for the states to reopen gradually everybody agrees that schools and kindergartens need to come 1st and there the draft paper says that that will be up to the regional leaders to decide ok if those surveys are really decisive day in terms of those measures you know you know also there is a bit of a debate going on in the country right now we mentioned that america is meeting with the 16 leaders of the german federal states because there's a federal system in place in the country lots of debate about how effective that structure has been when it comes to officiant concrete and streamlined action phyllis and there. well there can be no d

this federal structure is at the same time of course when it comes to issues like education the state premiers say we need a federal structure we need to have the ultimate say about which measures to impose and which not our. correspondent thank you. let's take a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world a german vaccine baker biotech has opened a new production facility for its covered 19 vaccine in western germany the factory in the city of marburg is expected to boost the a used vaccine supply and will produce the main ingredient of the drug developed alongside the u.s. pharmaceutical company pfizer the president of the european commission has a good knowledge failings in the blocks fights against the coronavirus those who were found the line says the e.u. was late with its approval and grow lots of vaccines but she defended the overall strategy of trying to bring the pandemic with a unified plan for all 27 member states. and researchers in the u.k. have discovered that a common assman treatment appears to reduce the need for hospitalization and the recovery time f

went down behind the chancellor in berlin another showdown about the lock down merkel and the state premiers wrestling with the question given the advance of coronavirus mutations in germany how soon will it be possible to open up. the services. yes the time between now and the middle of march is when the experts are telling us that the mutated virus could gain the upper hand over the initial strain . it's crucial that we lower the infection rate in this period and that's why we need to be careful. until at least the 7th of march most restrictions will remain in place with 2 notable exceptions schools and kindergartens will start to open from the 22nd of february and hairdressers will be able to get back to work from the 1st of march move many germans are longing for the. hair dresser is a great loss my niece is cutting mine at the moment as well as she can. the next target is to start opening up shops and businesses that will be allowed in places where the 7 day infection number falls to 35 but 100000 people but it's not going to happen just yet caution is still the guiding principle. closi

the state premier argues, if the australian open does not have been in melbourne it will happen somewhere in singape. the real risk then is, it doesn't come back. whether that is a possibility is hard to say. melbourne evidently did not want to find out but is not just about the money. it is about the pandemic, too. >> we will be able to send a signal to the rest of the world that in the middle of this pandemic we can pull off an event with crowds and be safe and have theorld's best tennis players here for two weeks and going back to the rest of the world and saying we should do it like australia. >> so, while some parts of the world continue to live with lockdowns, some fans are getting to go to the tennis. >> is a huge sporting capital of the world to people love the sport here. >> it is so great to have sport back in melbourne and tennis. it is just fantastic. >> the big price in this australian open may be less about who wins the singles titles and much more about whether melbourne can get to the end of the tournament without the virus intervening. there is much more from "outside sou

went down behind the chancellor in berlin another showdown about the lock down merkel and the state premiers wrestling with the question given the advance of coronavirus mutations in germany how soon will it be possible to open up. yes the time between now and the middle of march is when the experts are telling us that the mutated virus could gain the upper hand over the initial strain. it's crucial that we lower the infection rate in this period and that's why we need to be so careful. until at least the 7th of march most restrictions will remain in place with 2 notable exceptions schools and kindergartens will start to open from the 22nd of february and hairdressers will be able to get back to work from the 1st of march and move many germans are longing for the. hairdresser is a great loss my niece is cutting mine at the moment as well as she can. the next target is to start opening up shops and businesses that will be allowed in places where the 7 day infection number falls to 35 but 100000 people but it's not going to happen just yet caution is still the guiding principle. for closing th

chancellor angela merkel wanting to take to measures and she wasn't followed by the regional state premiers now germany for as much better in terms of infections than indeed a month ago the 7 days incidence rate at the national level eased. 60 per $100000.00 inhabitants but the love down has to be reconnected and time and again we so to difficulties all the chancellor of the federal government to agree on measures we see original heads of the heads of states middle thank you very much that was our correspondent man will show us. well the german government has decided to wait on the easing of coronavirus law measures until march 7th and in many regions of europe contact restrictions remain tight authorities fear the spread of new virus variants but there is one place where things seem to be still going quite easy still to be easygoing rather the spanish city of madrid and word is gotten around to tourists meeting friends and enjoying drinks in the sun a rare pastime these days but possible in madrid and that's why the spanish capital has become a refuge for young tourists from france it's so

chancellor angela merkel wanting to take to measures and she wasn't followed by the regional state premiers now germany for as much better in terms of infections than indeed a month ago to 7 days into this trade up to national level of you know is 680-0000 inhabitants the love don't have to be reconnected and time again we so to difficulties all the chancellor of the federal government to agree on measures we see original head heads of states middle thank you very much that was our correspondent ben will show us. now similar to some other of the developments in the corona virus pandemic worldwide a large israeli study shows the biotech pfizer vaccine is highly effective at preventing serious illness israel has vaccinated more than more of its population than any other country new daily cases in the u.s. are averaging below 100004 the 1st time in months but public health experts warn that infections remain high and restrictions should stay in place the 1st vaccine doses have arrived in australia and new zealand quarantine hotel workers will be among the 1st to get the jobs and england opens

going to next week see the meeting between german chancellor i'm going to america and the 16 state premiers to try to find a way forward way forward which is likely to in crude include strengthening of testing especially with rapid tests being widely distributed across the country and improvement of the vaccine rollout these are 2 aspects that germany has been lagging compared to other european countries and that the country hopes to step up a bit in the coming weeks ok so a lot of caution there in berlin there get your standing by in london the u.k. we don't has a clear reopening strategy tell us a little bit more about what might be able to be learned there. it does have a clear strategy the government seems to have learned from his mistakes because of course our you have to see this in the context that the u.k. has been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic over 120000 people have died from the virus and this has resulted in the quite severe lockdown in the quite depressing winter for many brits not much of the economy is opening at present and the the government has had to fight off a lot

the queensland state premier, annastacia palaszczuk, welcomed the ioc�*s announcement.queensland in the box seat, and i know that every level of government is absolutely united in working together to make this happen, and i'm very pleased that we'll be working with the mayors and the federal government to ensure that we get the funding to make this a reality. we already have 85% of the venues at the moment, it is a new norm, which means it is a game changer, we don't have to build huge stadiums that are not going to be used in the future. and this gives us hope and opportunity, as we go through our economic recovery and plan for the future. the former media chief for the british olympics association, philip pope, told me what this announcement means for the city of brisbane. it is very positive news. this gives the organisers in brisbane the opportunity to have a period of direct negotiations with the ioc, they don't have to worry about any other rival cities at this stage, and of course, they are very well advanced in their feasibility studies and planning for the game

the queensland state premier, anastasia palache, welcomed the ioc�*s announcement.and i know that every level of government is absolutely united and working together to make this happen. and i'm very pleased that we will be working with the mayors and the federal government to ensure that we get the funding to make this a reality. we already have 85% of the venues at the moment. is the venues at the moment. is the new norm, which is it means it is a game changer. we don't have to build huge stadiums that are not going to be used in the future, and this gives up in the future, and this gives up hope —— gives us hope and opportunity as we go through economic recovery and planning for the future. the former media chief for the british olympics association, philip pope, explained what this announcement means for the city of brisbane. it is very positive news. this gives the organisers in brisbane the opportunity to have a period of direct negotiation with the ioc, they don't have to worry about any other rival cities at this stage, and of course, they are very well adva

businesses in particular open for as long as possible that group including a number of other state premiers and so that's been that the shape of the political debate you've had. what i think has happened is that the chancellor is at the present presiding over a sort of watered down approach in which as she said today you know not enough was done not enough was done soon enough and there was a failure to not just to provide aid. to to go into lockdown early but also to provide vaccines early enough and to make sure that they would be provided also to provide computers for school kids so they could learn at home or ventilation for school so they could get back and do in school teaching eventually and other support for people working from home and so on there's been a lot of failures but of course hindsight is a wonderful thing it's always 2020 years and it's served if we look into the future for this year there are i think 6 state elections in germany and then there's the national election coming up this year how much are these events dictating the coronavirus policy that we're seeing right n

businesses in particular open for as long as possible that group including a number of other state premiers and so that's been that the shape of the political debate you've had. what i think is happened is that the chancellor is at the present presiding over a sort of watered down approach in which as she said today you know not enough was done not enough was done soon enough and there was a failure to not just to provide aid. to to go into lockdown early but also to provide vaccines early enough and to make sure that they would be provided also to provide computers for school kids so they could learn at home or ventilation for school so they could get back and do in school teaching eventually and other support for people working from home and so on there's been a lot of failures but of course hindsight is a wonderful thing it's always 2020 years and it's served if we look into the future for this year there are i think 6 state elections in germany and then there's the national election coming up this year how much are these events dictating the coronavirus policy that we're seeing right no

merkle in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insistedthat schools and day kids should reopen michael would have preferred more caution on this point by ended up giving in as she's done before merkel sought to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. in the fashion. well over 60000 people have now died they are around mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer protect morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic is that. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than hyped to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government. form pounding we've gone from masters of the pen to make last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today our vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations. even though here sell loans will begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to strict hygien

merkel in the state premiers haggled over the next steps long into wednesday evening the states insisted that schools and daycares should reopen markel would have preferred more caution on this point by ended up giving in as she's done before merkel sought to remind the public of the thousands of lives the pandemic has ended in germany. the fashion. well over 60000 people have now died they are our mothers fathers children relatives friends who we can no longer predict it morning game it's always on our minds when we make decisions in this pandemic is up and. the vaccine rollout in germany has been much slower than hyped to the opposition it's an obvious failure of the government. form pundit we've gone from masters of the pandemic last spring to europe's vaccination stranglers today our vaccination centers have been empty for weeks millions of citizens stuck in queues for hours on end and you say nothing's gone wrong we're behind remain behind greece behind slovakia on vaccinations. even though here salons will begin reopening in a few weeks they'll be subject to strict hygiene measures

of the state premiers wrestling with the question give me a bone so coronavirus mutations in germany how soon will it be possible to open up . yes the time between now and the middle of march is when the experts are telling us that the mutated virus could gain the upper hand over the initial strains. it's crucial that we lower the infection rate in this period and that's why we need to be so careful. until at least the 7th of march most restrictions will remain in place with 2 notable exceptions schools and kindergartens will start to open from the 22nd of february and hairdressers will be able to get back to work from the 1st of march a move many germans are longing for but. address there is a great loss my niece is cutting mine at the moment as well as she can. the next target is to start opening up shops and businesses that will be allowed in places where the 7 day infection number falls 235-410-0000 people but it's not going to happen just yet caution is still the guiding principle. for closing things down takes courage opening them up demands intelligence it's more difficult bec

germany is going to next week see the meeting between german chancellor under america and the 16 state premiers to try to find a way forward way forward which is likely to in crew include strengthening of testing especially with rapid tests being widely distributed across the country and improvement of the vaccine rollout these are 2 aspects that germany has been lagging compared to other european countries and that the country hopes to step up a bit in the coming weeks ok so a lot of caution there in berlin there get you're standing by in london the u.k. we know has a clear reopening strategy tell us a little bit more about what might be able to be learned there. it does have a clear strategy the government seems to have learned from his mistakes because of course there are you have to see this in the context that the u.k. has been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic over 120000 people have died from the virus and this has resulted in the quite severe lockdown in a quite depressing winter for many brits not much of the economy is opening at present and lead the government has had to fight off

the state premier argues... now, whether that's really a possibility it's hard to say. too. will be able to send a signal _ the pandemic too. will be able to send a signal to _ the pandemic too. will be able to send a signal to the _ the pandemic too. will be able to send a signal to the rest - the pandemic too. will be able to send a signal to the rest of- the pandemic too. will be able to send a signal to the rest of the i send a signal to the rest of the world that in the middle of this pandemic we can pull off an event with crowds, be safe, and have the world's best tennis players here for two weeks and going back to the rest of the world and saying we should do it like australia does it. find of the world and saying we should do it like australia does it.— it like australia does it. and so while some _ it like australia does it. and so while some parts _ it like australia does it. and so while some parts of— it like australia does it. and so while some parts of the - it like australia does it. and so while some parts of the world | while some parts of the world cont

german leaders have expressed particular concern about the latest austrian outbreak of various state premier says that the area is not taking the situation seriously a few reports it seems like a deja vu we're driving through the very same stage you know austria that was a major sport in europe when the pandemic began is making headlines by becoming a hot spot again this time with a new variant from south africa and most cases stem from here shots a district into 60 percent of at least $400.00 cases this makes the 2nd most infected country have to south africa with a coronavirus mutation. but with carnival season in full swing the people here don't seem to be worried much maybe only met up for a little bit off and will be again in our position of it at the house of the cut this is a save. it is the same thing that happened in ishqiya last year there is a concentrated move to look for someone to blame myself for i know. this but it's always to blame anyway people's behavior politics opinions are split over this question here and i hate the show and feel that the we should have had buddha chec