Musicians drive through Berlin to lift spirits in lockdown

Germany plans to let small shops reopen as early as next week after a four-week coronavirus shutdown, but Europe's biggest economy is keeping strict social distancing rules in place.

Berlin:Two musicians drove through Berlin's Marzahn district on Friday, playing piano and singing songs for residents staying at home during coronavirus restrictions.

A ban on gatherings of more than two people in public has been in place since 23 March and was due to run until Sunday.

Germany plans to let small shops reopen as early as next week after a four-week coronavirus shutdown, but Europe's biggest economy is keeping strict social distancing rules in place.

Germany, a country of 83 million people, has so far recorded almost 1,37,700 confirmed infections with the new coronavirus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Compared to other countries, Germany has had relatively few deaths - 4,052 so far, less than a third the number seen in Britain, which has fewer confirmed cases.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

(With inputs from AP)