German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Sunday a nine-point plan to be implemented nationwide in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. 

The measures were announced following a telephone meeting with the head of Germany's 16 states.

Infections from COVID-19 in Germany rose to 23,974 on Sunday, with 92 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

What are the new measures?

• Public gatherings of more than two people will be banned. There will be exceptions for families and those living together.
• General contact with others should be reduced to a minimum.
• A 1.5-meter (4.9 feet) distance should be kept at all times when in public.
• Gastronomy businesses must close. Businesses offering food delivery and collection will be allowed to remain open.
• Service providers such as hair-dressers, cosmetic, massage and tattoo studios where a 2-meter distance between people is not possible must also close. Businesses and centers offering medical treatments may remain open.
• Police and other law enforcement agencies will enforce any infractions of the new rules — Merkel did not state what the punishment would be for anyone not abiding by the new measures.
• Hygiene regulations must be implemented for staff in the workplace, or for visitors.
• Commuting to work, helping others and exercising alone outside will still be permissible, as long as the activities are carried out in abidance with the guidelines.
• The measures will remain in place, initially for the next two weeks.