Stricter rules and tougher controls as Germany extends lockdown

Germany extends its lockdown until at least mid-February, with stricter rules on mask-wearing as part of tougher controls to curb new variants of Covid-19. Although the country has been reporting a drop in new infections, German leaders hope further restrictions can slow the spread of more transmissable coronavirus variants that have emerged in other countries. The government is imposing new rules that include the wearing of higher-quality masks and more people working from home.