The German parliament will not extend the ``epidemic situation of national
scope'' when it expires next month.

However, it will keep in place certain measures to check the spread of the
coronavirus.

Leading members of the country's parliament say that although coronavirus
infections have been rising again recently, they did not see the need to
prolong the ``epidemic situation.''

That status was first declared in March 2020 and has been repeatedly extended
since then.

Officials say that the situation had fundamentally changed due to the fact
that about two-thirds of the population had been vaccinated against the
virus.

Some measures like obligatory mask wearing in public spaces, restrictions on
entry to certain venues to only those who have been vaccinated or financial
support for workers who have been hit hard by the pandemic will stay in place
until March.

In addition, individual states can still decide to again implement stricter
measures if needed.