Germany to let virus restrictions expire even as cases surge

BERLIN (AP) — The German government has defended its decision to let many pandemic restrictions expire at the weekend even as the country has hit a new record for the number of newly confirmed cases. Germany’s disease control agency on Thursday reported 294,931 new cases in the past 24 hours and 278 COVID-related deaths. The decision to end many pandemic restrictions on Sunday, including the requirements to wear masks in public settings and limit spectators in stadiums, was criticized by the states, who can still introduce their own restrictions in virus hotspots going forward. German lawmakers also debated proposals Thursday for a general COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all adults. A final decision isn’t expected for several weeks.