Germany has announced plans to ease its COVID-19 restrictions. 

The country’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, said stores sized up to 800 square metres will be able to reopen for business from Monday. 

Social distancing measures will be in place until May 3. 

Schools, meanwhile, will begin reopening from May 4.

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She also urged people to wear face masks in public, German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle said.

Large gatherings will not be allowed until at least August 31, while all bars and restaurants will remain closed. 

Cinemas, too, will stay shut. 

But car dealerships and book stores – among other outlets – will be allowed to open, regardless of their size.

According to Johns Hopkins University, Germany has so far confirmed 133,209 cases of COVID-19 and linked 3,592 deaths with the disease.