Germany's Debt From Coronavirus Won't Be Repaid Until 2058, Angela Merkel Expects

Senior Writer

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the country's debt from the coronavirus pandemic won't be fully repaid until 2058.

She emphasized that relief measures would be essential to stimulate Germany's economy, but added that greater financial aid should be handed to other European countries that were hit hardest by the global health crisis.

"We can afford all agreed coronavirus relief measures, we don't go too far into future with coronavirus aid for the economy," Merkel said on Friday. "Other EU countries profit from the European coronavirus aid more than Germany does; this is right."

Germany has managed to keep COVID-19 cases and deaths relatively low in comparison to other countries in the EU, such as Italy and Spain. However, Merkel said she expects the virus to become more challenging in the coming months.

"Some things are likely to be more difficult over the next few months than they are in the summer," Merkel during a news conference.

"In the coming months, it will now be important to keep infection rates low when we are back indoors—at workplaces, in schools and in homes," she added.

Germany has recently seen an uptick in infections—a number which began rising in July and gained momentum in recent weeks.

Angela Merkel speaks to the media at her annual summer press conference during the coronavirus pandemic on August 28, in Berlin. Merkel said during the conference she doesn't expect the country to repay its coronavirus... Pool

On Thursday, leaders of Germany's 16 federal states agreed on a new wave of measures to combat the rising figures, including a minimum fine of 50 euros for individuals who fail to wear masks in spaces where face coverings have been made mandatory and a ban on large events, such as concerts and sporting events, until the end of 2020.

"We will have to live with this virus even longer, and that is why my basic attitude is one of vigilance, of attention," Merkel said.

"This is especially true now, when the number of infections has risen again so significantly over the last few weeks," she added. "The fact remains: It is serious, as serious as ever. Continue to take it seriously."

Merkel also agreed with the federal leaders on a new quarantine rules for travelers. Local authorities are expected to perform a greater number of checks on those returning from high-risk areas.

On Friday, the chancellor said her government will prioritize the German youth by "doing everything so that our children are not the losers of the pandemic. School and day care need to be the most important things."

As of Friday, August 28, the country has reported 240,598 confirmed cases and 9,291 deaths, according to data from a Johns Hopkins University tracker.