German government, states agree on lockdown extension until Feb. 14

FILE PHOTO: Parasol stands are seen in front of a closed souvenir shop as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues during an extended lockdown in Frankfurt, Germany, January 8, 2021. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

The German government of Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders on Tuesday agreed to extend the country's lockdown until Feb. 14 to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, sources told Reuters.

They also agreed to mandate medical masks for passengers of public transport, the sources added.

(Reporting by Holger Hansen and Andreas Rinke; writing by Thomas Seythal; editing by Kirsti Knolle)