BERLIN (AFP) - Germany will take new steps towards normalisation in May, including reopening shops and schools after weeks of shutdown imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus, according to a draft agreement seen by AFP on Wednesday (May 6).

"Even after initial steps to open up were introduced from April 20, the number of new infections remained low," the document read, with "no new wave of infection" so far detected - justifying the series of bolder reopening steps.

So far, only certain children like those soon facing exams had been allowed to return to class.

But now kindergartens and primary schools will also reopen from next week.

"Step-by-step, schools should make possible education of all pupils while implementing appropriate hygiene measures and upholding distancing rules," the document read.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and premiers from Germany's 16 federal states are expected to sign off on the text later Wednesday.

Meanwhile it will be up to the individual regions to decide how to proceed with reopening universities.

Regarding shops, the politicians said all could reopen but requirements "for hygiene, managing entry and avoiding queues forming" would be imposed.

So far only shops up to a floor space of 800 square metres had been authorised to resume sales.

States will also have a free hand over whether to reopen restaurants beginning on May 9, as well as on decisions affecting theatres, concert halls, nightclubs and gyms.

Meanwhile the one major coronavirus restriction set to remain in place - likely for several months - is a ban on large gatherings like sports matches, cultural events or festivals.

Such events will remain forbidden until "at least August 31", according to the text.

What's more, lockdown measures will be reimposed if the number of coronavirus infections begins to mount again.

If more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants are detected within seven days, the affected city or district must impose "a corresponding lockdown plan".

RESISTANCE 2020

In case of a "localised and clearly containable infection pattern" - such as in a single institution like an old people's home - the measures could be limited only to the specific place affected, rather than a whole region.

The government also includes a general call for Germans to continue to maintain a safe distance from one another and wear masks in shops and on public transport.

Demonstrations against the lockdown were held in several German cities last weekend, and a new political movement calling itself Widerstand 2020 (Resistance 2020) claims on its website to have more than 100,000 members.

The far-right AfD, Germany's largest opposition party by number of MPs, has also attacked the lockdown measures.

But experts continue to call for restraint. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for disease control has repeatedly warned of possible second or even third waves of the virus hitting the country.

At a briefing on Tuesday (May 5), RKI head Lothar Wieler urged vigilance.

"Social distancing is certainly the new normal and will help to ensure that the infection rate remains low," he said. "If we ease restrictions, this will of course increase the risk of new infections."