Germany Extends Coronavirus Aid as Pandemic Fallout Lingers

(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government extended financial support until the end of September as the fallout from Covid-19 persists for Europe’s largest economy even as infections ebb.

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, Germany has approved more than 105 billion euros ($128 billion) in company aid and paid more than 32 billion euros in wage support. But there are segments of the economy that are still suffering, according to Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.

“Even if falling contagion rates offer hope that the pandemic will end, many companies continue to be affected by the consequences of the pandemic,” Scholz said Wednesday in an emailed statement.

With cases declining and immunizations rising, authorities have been easing pandemic curbs with restaurants, hotels and cinemas reopening, though with restrictions on capacity.

On Wednesday, Germany had 20.8 infections per 100,000 people over the past seven days, the lowest rate since early October. As of Tuesday, 38.6 million people, or 46.5% of the population, had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Priority groups for inoculations were dropped this week, making it possible for all adults and teenagers to gets shots.

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