Angela Merkel to self-isolate after being in contact with infected doctor

Angela Merkel has self-isolated after a doctor who was treating her was found to have coronavirus.

Angela Merkel is to self isolate. Picture: /Getty Images.

Angela Merkel has self-isolated after a doctor who was treating her was found to have coronavirus.

The German Chancellor said she would continue to work from home after being told of the doctor’s infection on Sunday, shortly after she announced new nationwide measures to stop the coronavirus spread.

Mrs Merkel said there would be an enforced ban on meetings of more than two people, except for families and people who cohabit. Germany also shut all restaurants, cafes and shops such as hairdressers and indoor gymnasiums where a 2-metre distance between people is not possible. ”No-one wished for these restrictions,” Mrs Merkel said. “I am convinced they will carry us through these difficult times.”

Germany has had 93 deaths and recorded more than 25,000 positive cases.

It is believed Mrs Merkel received a flu vaccine on Friday by the doctor.

A police officer stands guard outside the Berlin house where Angela Merkel is to self isolate. Picture: AFP.

Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, the Boris Johnson government has announced emergency food and medical parcels will be delivered by the army to 1.5m vulnerable and elderly people, who have been asked to self-isolate for the next 12 weeks.

The “shielding’’ program is designed to protect those most at risk of serious complications from coronavirus over the next three months.

People with severe respiratory conditions, specific cancers, immunosuppressant conditions and heart disease as well as those aged in their 70s and over have been asked to stay at home and not have any face-to-face contact with people until at least the end of May.

The housing and communities secretary, Robert Jenrick said: “The NHS has identified up to 1.5 million people in England who face the highest risk of being hospitalised by the virus. I don’t underestimate what we’re asking of people. It will be tough.”

The vulnerable and elderly will receive a letter from the NHS advising them to stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.

Those living in the same household will not be required to take the same measures themselves, and carers can continue to visit.

If family and friends don’t live nearby, a major national volunteering effort will be set up from local hubs.

Mr Johnson said he was looking at further tighter measures after a sunny day coupled with Mother’s Day on Sunday saw many people congregate in groups in local parks.

“We’ve already taken some very draconian steps, we’ve closed the schools and a huge swathe of the UK economy, our normal daily life has been transformed,’’ he said, as the country had 281 deaths and more than 5000 cases.

“It is very important for people’s mental and physical wellbeing that they should be able to get out and exercise. That’s why parks and open spaces are absolutely crucial.

“If people don’t exercise responsibly in the parks and green spaces, there is going to be no doubt we are going to bring forward further measures and we are keeping that under constant review.”

Mr Johnson said that “we have a good supply of ventilators at the moment,” but the nation needed far more testing kits and ventilators.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries, said places such as London are starting to see very significant rises in cases. But she said in England only 12 per cent of adult critical care beds are currently occupied by coronavirus patients at the moment and that situation will change drastically.