Germany has announced sweeping new restrictions for people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that unvaccinated people will be barred from many public places, including non-essential shops and events, unless they have recently recovered from Covid-19

"Culture and leisure nationwide will be open only to those who have been vaccinated or recovered," Merkel says.

"We have understood that the situation is very serious and that we want to take further measures in addition to those already taken," she adds.

Merkel also says a nationwide vaccination mandate could be imposed from February 2022, after it's been debated in parliament.