![]() The following 2 weeks until 5 April were denoted as lockdown period. In the following weeks, Germany has gradually implemented stricter mobility restrictions, culminating in a “partial lockdown” in several federal states including the introduction of contact restrictions on 22 March ( 5). In a televised address to the nation on 16 March, Chancellor Angela Merkel urged all German citizens to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following the imposed restrictions. Between 12 and 18 March, all federal states successively enacted the closure of nurseries, schools, and universities. On 8 March, 1 week before official closure of schools on 16 March, the German Health Minister recommended to cancel events of more than 1,000 attendees. The number of cases per day in Germany exceeded 100 on 5 March. The first COVID-19 case in Germany was reported on 24 January ( 4). In Europe, Italy was the first country which was severely affected and imposed a lockdown on 22 February 2020 ( 3). The intention is to slow (or even stop) epidemic spread to lower peak health care demand ( 2). Most governments have introduced public health interventions aiming at restricting physical contact and thereby reducing transmission of the virus. ![]() The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) started in China in December 2019 ( 1) and evolved into a pandemic affecting almost all countries worldwide. Other behavioral changes, e.g., wearing masks, individual distancing, or general awareness of the COVID-19 hazards may have contributed to the observed further reduction in case numbers and constant reproduction numbers below one until mid-July. ![]() The increase in mobility from mid-April onwards, however, did not result in increased case numbers but in further decrease. Relative reduction of mobility developed parallel with number of new cases and the daily estimated reproduction number in the weeks after contact restrictions were implemented. The decrease was strongest in the last week of March followed by a slight increase. Median daily distance traveled decreased substantially in total and homogeneously across all subgroups considered. Furthermore, we have investigated the association of mobility with the number of new cases and the reproduction number. Using interrupted time series analysis, we investigated mobility by age, sex, and previous mobility habits from 13 January until, measured as median daily distance traveled before and after restrictions were introduced. A dynamic cohort of about 2,000 individuals in Germany aged 16–89 years provided individual information on demographic variables, and their continuous geolocation via a smartphone app. Analysis of the consequences of these measures for mobility and infection incidence is of public health interest. The easing of the restrictions began 1 month later, on 20 April. In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, Germany has gradually implemented mobility restrictions culminating in a partial lockdown and contact restrictions on 22 March.
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