Berlin, April 20 (TIWN) Germany is bracing toward what has been dubbed "a new normal" amid the coronavirus pandemic with the relaxation of some of the restrictive measures in place to stop the transmission of the disease.

Commercial spaces less than 800 metres squared will be permitted to reopen in some federal states from Monday, while others will open later, reports Efe news.  Schools will also gradually resume activities, albeit with restrictions in place.  In the capital Berlin, some secondary school students will sit their finals and from May 4 other age groups will return to the classroom but class sizes will be reduced.  The fight against the pandemic, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has not yet been won but Germany has succeeded in slowing its infection rate to a point that — currently — will not overwhelm the healthcare system.  The gradual easing of restrictions marks a new chapter in the country''s campaign against COVID-19, which began when Germany was alerted to its first case on January 27.