German DIY stores and garden centres to stay closed for a further two weeks

"Geschlossen" - "closed": German DIY stores and garden centres stay closed until mid-February. Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay.

In Germany, home improvement stores and garden centres are to stay closed for two weeks longer than initially expected. The federal government and state governments decided at a recent sitting to extend the lockdown until 14 February 2021, after it was due to end originally on 31 January.

Associations active in the green market have urged Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the premiers of the 16 federal states to consider an early reopening of businesses. Among other factors they cited the argument that an interest in plants and working in the garden, on patios and balconies had given people an important emotional lift during lockdown.