Germany will close shops from the middle of next week in a tightening of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. Slideshow ( 5 images ) The decision came ahead of a meeting planned for Sunday morning between Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders as Europe’s largest economy grapples with a rise in infections. Germany has been in partial lockdown for six weeks, with bars and restaurants closed, while stores and schools have remained open. Some regions have already imposed tougher measures as infections grew. Markus Soeder, the premier of Bavaria, told Germany’s Bild newspaper that the new measures would be wide-ranging, including schools, kindergartens, contacts and shops. “We definitely have to take the necessary measures before mid-week,” he said. Germany was more successful than many European countries in keeping the pandemic under control in the first wave in March and April. […]