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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, cited expert estimates that up to 70 per cent of the population could be infected by the new coronavirus as she insists on the necessity of measures to slow its spread.
The government has recommended the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people, among other things.
She added the priority is to slow the spread of the disease "so all the measures we are taking are of the greatest significance because they are giving us time – it does matter what we do, it is not in vain."
Merkel vowed Wednesday to do everything it takes to tame the coronavirus crisis, signalling she is even ready to suspend the cherished dogma of keeping Germany's budget balanced.
She stressed that ending the virus crisis "comes first".
Maintaining a balanced or "black zero" budget has been a key selling point of Merkel's government, which believes that it would be irresponsible for the fast ageing nation to incur more debt that would ultimately be left to a shrinking workforce to pay off.
But with the coronavirus outbreak forcing some countries to shut borders, companies to keep workforces home and foreign orders to collapse, calls have grown for Merkel's government to help prop up Germany's economy.
The leader of Europe's biggest economy said she was also prepared to look the other way if severely hit EU nations such as Italy were to flout the EU's rules on limiting budget deficits as it fights the virus.
"On the European level regarding the (EU's) stability and growth pact, we will be flexible. That was an important conclusion yesterday," she said, referring to a telephone conference with EU leaders when the bloc agreed to do what it takes to shield the economy.
Merkel's press conference on Wednesday marked her first outing before the press on COVID-19 and comes as Germany's biggest daily Bild accused her on its front page of failing to take charge in the crisis.
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