MERKEL URGES GERMAN COHESION VS. PANDEMIC

German Chancellor Angela Merkel used her traditional New Year's Day address to appeal for social cohesion in the struggle against the pandemic, even as hope dawns in the form of vaccines, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

"It will be up to all of us for a long time to see how we get through this pandemic," Merkel said in her speech, a copy of which was seen by dpa in advance of broadcast scheduled for New Year's Day.

"Besides the vaccine, we have the most effective means in our own hands by sticking to the rules, each and every one of us," the chancellor said.

Merkel, who is entering her last and 16th year as chancellor, thanked the majority of Germany's residents for their discipline, for wearing masks and practising social distancing.

The chancellor, who will step down ahead of elections in September, also stressed that at the end of what she called a "breathless year" it was also important to pause and mourn.

"As a society, we must not forget how many have lost a loved one without being able to be close to them in the last few hours," she said.

Given that, Merkel said she can only guess how bitter the bereaved must feel when some incorrigible people persist in denying the existence of the virus.

"Conspiracy theories are not only untrue and dangerous, they are also cynical and cruel towards these people," the chancellor said.

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