In January 2020, SARS-CoV-2 reached Germany for the first time. Since then, nothing is the same as before. In March 2020: a partial lockdown. It brought restrictions in public life. Restaurants and movie theaters are closed. Schools and kindergartens are also closed. International travel is restricted. Visits to hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes are no longer allowed.

Supermarkets remain open - for customers wearing masks. Many people are resorting to panic buying, especially hoarding toilet paper. Some products are even rationed to make sure everyone gets a fair share. In November 2020, a new set of measures known as Lockdown is announced. Public gatherings will be limited to two households and a maximum of 10 people. Many businesses in the catering, hospitality and tourism sectors have to close again, as they did in the spring. The economy is still on track and schools are open, at least for the time being. The new year begins with a vaccination campaign in Germany based on the vaccine developed by BioNTech-Pfizer. Progress in vaccination is slow. By December, about 70% of people in Germany have been vaccinated. Some people refuse to be vaccinated.