German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dropped plans for a five-day shutdown in Germany over Easter, which had prompted confusion and criticism. She called the idea a mistake and apologised to Germans, according to AP.

Merkel announced the decision after calling a hastily arranged videoconference with Germanys 16 state governors, who are responsible for imposing and lifting restrictions. The same group had come up with the unexpected plan for deeper restrictions over Easter, which was announced early on Tuesday.

"The idea of an Easter shutdown was drawn up with the best intentions because we must urgently manage to slow and reverse the third wave of the pandemic," Merkel said. However, the idea [...] was a mistake. There were good reasons for it but it could not be implemented well enough in this short time."