Customs – Berlin – Christmas hype in Berlin despite the increasing number of infections – culture
Berlin (dpa / bb) – Regardless of the increasing number of corona infections, the Christmas market season began in Berlin on Friday. At the “Winterzauber Berlin” in the district of Lichtenberg, people strolled between carousels and mulled wine stands with candy floss and bratwurst on Friday evening. Security guards checked that everyone was wearing their mask. The fair is open until December 19th. Little by little, other Christmas markets are also starting in the capital – around 50 in total.
The organizers in Lichtenberg are satisfied with the beginning. “Everyone is in a good mood. The showmen are happy that they are back and are allowed to work,” said organizer Carmen Blume. The market opens in the early afternoon. By the evening the organizers counted more than 2000 visitors. They justified the early start at the beginning of November with the fact that such an equalized operation is possible – the expected interest of the visitors WILL also be stretched over a period of time. “In this way, more people can experience the Christmas market without stress by being close,” explains the organizers.
Mask requirements and distance rules apply on the market. Only vaccinated and recovered people (2G) are allowed in the restaurants. Around 2000 visitors are allowed on the market at the same time. Also at the entrance everyone was asked to put on a mask. At the stands and in the restaurants, the stand operators are responsible for compliance with the rules, it said. According to the organizers, Berlin’s oldest Christmas market with a tradition dating back around a hundred years has died.
Last week, the Senate decided to make mask compulsory for Christmas markets. However, this does not apply to stores whose operators rely on the 2G rule. Then only vaccinated and convalescent people have access, as well as children under the age of twelve, for whom vaccinations have not yet been offered. There are also people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
The organizers of the Spandau Citadel and the Gendarmenmarkt want to apply their 2G rule. 3G should apply at Breitscheidplatz (vaccinated, recovered or tested).
In view of the significantly increased number of Corona purchases in Berlin, further measures are more likely. According to data from the Robert Koch Institute, the seven-day incidence on Friday was 180. From Thursday to Friday, 1560 confirmed new infections were added. The RKI statistics recorded ten additional services.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211105-99-877933 / 5