Sharjah24 – Reuters: Chancellor Angela Merkel and German state leaders on Wednesday agreed a phased easing of coronavirus curbs but added an "emergency brake" to let authorities reimpose restrictions if case numbers get out of control.

With elections looming, Merkel and the regional leaders have faced growing pressure to set out plans to restore normal activities after four months of lockdown.

However, daily cases are creeping up again and only around 5% of the population have received a first vaccine shot.

"We are at the threshold of a new phase of the pandemic that we can go into not carelessly but still with justified hope," Merkel told reporters after what she described as "tough negotiations" with the regional chiefs.

In Wednesday's agreement, the leaders agreed to extend the interval between first and second vaccinations where possible to offer shots to as many people as they can.

They also said they expected a decision soon from Germany's standing committee on vaccination on administering the AstraZeneca shot to over 65s, "in order to be able to adjust the vaccination schedule accordingly".