Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Germans to expect a “difficult winter” as the country’s daily coronavirus cases hit a new high on Thursday.

Attempts by far-right protesters and others to storm the German parliament building following a protest against the country’s pandemic restrictions have been condemned by senior officials.

Germany held a pop concert on Saturday to see how those attending would spread coronavirus.

Germany’s government has urged citizens to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines, as new Covid-19 infections hit a three-month high and schools reopened in the country’s most populous state.

Protesters against coronavirus restrictions have gathered in Berlin for a demonstration titled The End Of The Pandemic — Freedom Day. It comes amid increasing concern about an upturn in infections in Germany.

A German cruise ship is testing the water amid the coronavirus pandemic, setting sail for the first time since the industry was shut down months ago.