Germany to extend lockdown until March 7 amid concern over variants

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a news conference (Markus Schreiber/AP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country’s 16 governors are largely extending the country’s coronavirus lockdown until March 7 amid concern that new virus variants could reverse a decline in new confirmed cases.

After Ms Merkel met with governors in a video conference, the government released their agreement on Wednesday.