Merkel's COVID-19 Apology to Children: False
The Claim
Angela Merkel apologized to children in Germany during the global pandemic due to COVID-19 contagion measures imposed in Germany.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts and pages posted a picture of the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, surrounded by children. Users claimed she was apologizing to children because they were banned from going out and playing in outdoor playgrounds during the imposed lockdown in Germany. They added to the claim that Merkel promised the children that she will give 300 Euros to the family of every child.
"Berlin is the capital of Germany," a Facebook page, also published the viral claim and added a link for people to register to receive the financial aid. 
Misbar’s Analysis
The claim is false. Misbar didn’t find any statement by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, apologizing to German children due to the restrictions imposed during Coronavirus.
Merkel stressed that the restrictions imposed by the government, while infringing on personal freedoms, aim to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak.
The 300 Euros mentioned in the claim is part of an economic stimulus package in which the German coalition government has agreed on reviving the economy and equip Germany in the future.
However, the picture attached to the claim was published on the September 17, 2017 during a press conference. Merkel was surrounded by children in Berlin as part of her election campaign.
