berlin jan 5 reuters  restrictions to contain the coronavirus dampened activity in germanys services sector in december and concerns over the omicron variant clouded the outlook for january a survey showed on wednesday ihs markits final purchasing managers index pmi for services found that activity in the sector had fallen to 487 from 527 in november the reading was slightly higher than a flash estimate of 484 the composite pmi index which covers both the services and manufacturing sectors fell to 499 from 522 in november the reading was lower than a flash figure of 500 the fall in activity was only modest but with additional restrictions having come into effect since the december survey and the omicron variant looming large there are further downside risks to activity in january said phil smith associate economics director at ihs markit nevertheless we saw services firms confidence towards the yearahead outlook improve in december reflecting expectations that activity levels will inevitably start to normalise once infections and restrictions ease and hopes that the pandemic will pose less of a threat to the economy this time next year