Germany votes to end most coronavirus restrictions despite surge in cases

Most Covid restrictions are set to be dropped in Germany including face masks (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Lawmakers voted on Friday to abolish most of Germany’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions despite a surge in cases with almost 300,000 new daily cases.

The Bundestag passed an amendment to the pandemic rules in a 364-277 vote with two abstentions. The upper house of parliament, made up of Germany’s 16 states, approved the measure later on Friday.