BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will impose an emergency month-long lockdown that includes the closure of restaurants, gyms and theatres to reverse a spike in coronavirus cases that risks overwhelming hospitals, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT: Your content will begin in 20 seconds “We need to take action now,” she said, adding that the recent steep rise in infections had generated sufficient political and public support for new tough measures to reduce social contacts and suppress outbreaks. Effective Nov. 2, private gatherings will be limited to 10 people from a maximum of two households. Restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas, pools and gyms will be shut and concerts cancelled. Professional sports events will be allowed to be held only without spectators. People will be asked not to travel for private, non-essential reasons, and overnight stays in hotels will be available only for necessary business trips. The Dehoga hotel and restaurant association called the decisions “bitter”. “Many businesses are standing with their backs to the wall, desperation is growing,” said Dehoga Chief Executive Ingrid Hartges. Under the new measures, schools and daycare centres will remain open, as will shops, so long as they stick to social distancing and hygiene rules. The nationwide rules replace a confusing patchwork of regional measures. To make the measures more palatable especially for smaller companies, Germany will offer financial aid to those hurt by the new restrictions.