Germany clamps down on New Year's parties to tame Omicron

Germany announced new restrictions that will begin after Christmas to combat the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Germany announced new restrictions Tuesday that will begin after Christmas to slow the spread of the new omicron variant, rules that will fall short of a full lockdown but will include contact restrictions even for vaccinated people.

"I can understand anyone who doesn't want to hear about the coronavirus, mutations and new virus variants," Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a press conference Tuesday evening. "But we cannot and must not turn a blind eye to this next wave."