The government of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to introduce new rules to protect local companies from acquisitions by non-EU entities.

The bill will allow the government to block transactions that constitute “potential interference” in German interests. Authorities currently have the power to prevent only transactions that are perceived as a security threat.

Authorities will also be able to restrict access to companies’ know-how while the acquisition transaction is under review by the competent authorities. Merkel’s cabinet is set to approve changes to the Foreign Trade Act on Wednesday, the administration told.

As the coronavirus pandemic has a profound effect on the global economy, authorities have raised concerns that companies that are particularly important to German interests may become vulnerable to foreign interests. Eurozone finance ministers are expected to discuss proposals on Tuesday to mitigate the economic and financial damage from the outbreak.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus in Germany, the main index DAX 30 lost more than 3,400 points, or 25%, of its value. As of today, DAX 30 is moving at 10,306.50 points.