German lawmakers back new measures to curb rising Covid cases

Lawmakers wear face mask as they attend a Bundestag session (Markus Schreiber/AP)

German lawmakers have approved new measures to rein in record coronavirus infections after the head of the nation’s disease control agency warned the country could face a “really terrible Christmas”.

The measures passed in the Bundestag with votes from the centre-left Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats. The three parties are negotiating to form a new government.