The German government is banning public gatherings of more than two people to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, stopping just short of confining people to their homes, Bloomberg reports.

Why it matters: Countries across Europe, which has become the epicenter of the pandemic, have imposed stringent social distancing measures in an effort to stop the coronavirus from spreading like it has in Italy, where more than 4,800 people have died. Chancellor Angela Merkel has thus far opposed a full lockdown. Read more by clicking here: AXIOS