The government said the Bundesliga and second-tier 2. Bundesliga could re-start in the second half of May without spectators, adding the German football league (DFL) would decide on the exact dates.

Football in Germany has been suspended since mid-March, with coronavirus having infected over 150,000 people in the country so far. Almost 6,300 people have died of the disease in Germany.

The league is the first of any of Europe’s major leagues to be given clearance to resume playing, since the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Two of Germany’s neighbours, the Netherlands and France, have ended their seasons.

Matches in Germany’s top two divisions can take place later this month, without spectators.

Chancellor Angela Merkel says Bundesliga players and staff will not have to quarantine for 14 days because of the clubs’ regular testing capacity.

“Testing is regular there, so the quarantine period is not set to 14 days,” she said.

Minister President of Bavaria, Markus Söder, accepts the decision to resume will be seen as controversial.

“We have agreed sensibly. We know that it is very controversial,” he added.

“I know that those responsible in the clubs will do everything possible to comply with the regulations. But the players must also adhere to it.”

The Bundesliga’s General Assembly will be held in Frankfurt on Thursday to discuss the health and safety protocol to ensure the league’s safe return. They are expected to decide on the start date and match calendar in that meeting.

The majority of Bundesliga clubs have nine matches left to play in this campaign – Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen have 10 – with leaders Bayern Munich four points ahead of Borussia Dortmund in second.

The resumption of the Bundesliga season will make weekends “easier for everyone” in Germany during the coronavirus pandemic, says Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“FC Bayern feels great gratitude, satisfaction and a feeling of happiness. We’ve worked long and hard for this. With the green light from the politicians, we have the requirements to restart the league. That is an important step for the Bundesliga,” he said.

“The Bavarian prime minister Markus Söder said that a weekend with Bundesliga is much more bearable than a weekend without. That sentence tells everything.

“We know, football isn’t systemically important. But football has a meaning for society. When we start playing in the middle of May, those weekends will be easier for everyone.”