Merkel's outgoing government had always ruled out mandatory vaccination, but the measure is now backed by politicians from across the spectrum. Some experts have blamed Germany's fourth wave on its relatively low vaccination rate of around 68 percent, compared with fellow EU countries such as Spain at 79 percent and Portugal at 86 percent. Several hard-hit German regions have already cancelled Christmas markets and barred the unvaccinated from public spaces like gyms and leisure facilities to slow the pandemic spread.Д«ut critics say the patchwork of rules is confusing, and Thursday's emergency talks were aimed at coming up with nationwide rules. 'From the point of view of intensive and emergency medicine, the pandemic situation has never been as threatening and serious as it is today,' the DIVI intensive care association warned on Wednesday, calling for a drastic tightening of restrictions. Though Germany's seven-day incidence rate has fallen slightly this week, it still stood at 439.2 on Thursday, with 73,209 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours. Infections have smashed German records in recent weeks and hospitals are sounding the alarm, with many over capacity and forced to dispatch patients elsewhere in the country for treatment. 'You can see from the decisions that we have understood the situation is very serious,' Merkel said, adding that the measures should be seen as 'minimum standards' and different regions could also impose their own tougher curbs. Health Minister Jens Spahn, in a caretaker role ahead of the planned swearing in of a new government next week, told the ZDF broadcaster that Germany needed 'a lockdown, so to speak, for the unvaccinated'. The agreement also includes new restrictions on large gatherings, which would affect events such as Bundesliga football matches, and the closure of nightclubs in areas with a weekly incidence rate above 350 infections per 100,000 people.ДЇireworks will be banned on New Year's Eve to stop large crowds from gathering, according to North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Hendrik Wuest. The unimmunised will also be banned from Christmas markets, as well as being hit by contact restrictions limiting the number of people they can socialise with. The plans include a blanket ban on entering venues including bars, restaurants and cinemas for anyone who has not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid, according to a document signed off by the leaders. Merkel, her designated successor Olaf Scholz and the leaders of 16 states tightened Covid restrictions just two weeks ago, but met again on Thursday to discuss tougher measures. 'Given the situation, I think it is appropriate to adopt compulsory vaccination,' she said.

The outgoing chancellor also spoke out in favour of compulsory vaccinations, which parliament is due to vote on soon. 'Jabbed, cured or dead', Germany warns as Europe battles COVID-19 surge

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