These 2G rules apply from today in Berlin
Berlin – In Berlin, unvaccinated people have to be prepared for a number of newer restrictions from Monday. The Senate has decided to significantly expand the so-called 2G rule. This has numerous consequences. An overview.
What does the 2G rule mean?
What is meant is that access to certain events, for example, is only permitted for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. A negative corona test result is then no longer sufficient.
What is the reason for the decision?
The background is the corona infection numbers, which have risen sharply again in Berlin. The governing mayor (SPD) spoke of a worrying situation in view of the pandemic development. Above all, the situation in the hospitals is seen as an alarm signal. The proportion of Covid 19 patients there has increased significantly. The Charé University Medicine in Berlin is now canceling medical interventions that can be planned. There is a threat of a bottleneck in the intensive care units.
Who is exempt from the restrictions?
The new 2G regulation does not apply to people who have not yet reached the age of 18. You only show a negative Corona test when & how before. This also applies to people who have been shown to be unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.
How long does the regulation apply?
The restrictions for unvaccinated people apply from Monday and are initially limited to November 28th. However, they could be extended by the Senate if the number of infections remains high.
Does 2G apply in gastronomy?
Yes, only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered are allowed in the closed rooms of cafés, bars and restaurants. The Berlin hotel and restaurant association Dehoga sees this critically.
How is it in the tourism industry?
The 2G rule in Berlin does not apply to hotels and pensions. But tourists also have to pay attention to them: there are, for example, excursions by bus through the city or boat tours on the Spree, which are only accessible to vaccinated and convalescent people.
What other leisure facilities are affected?
2G is also gold-plated for saunas and thermal baths and similar facilities, as well as in amusement facilities such as amusement arcades, as long as it concerns closed rooms. The same applies to amusement parks, but also to the Berlin Zoo, Tierpark Berlin or the Botanical Garden.
For which cultural institutions does the 2G rule apply?
In the cultural sector, only those who have been vaccinated and Genesis are allowed to go to events or exhibitions. This applies to theaters, museums and galleries as well as to cinemas and concert halls.
And in the clubs?
For everyone who likes techno and likes to dance the night away, little changes: In Berlin, 2G was already mandatory for clubs and other providers of dance events.
Does 2G also apply to buses and trains?
No, 2G is not mandatory in local public transport, but a mask requirement still applies there.
Are you still allowed to go to the hairdresser if you have not been vaccinated?
No, the Senate has tightened the regulation here: 2G also applies to body care services, both in the cosmetic studio and in the hairdressing salon. In the case of body-hugging services that are not gold-plated for the 2G rule – such as medical foot care, occupational therapy or treatments by a non-medical practitioner – wearing a mask is mandatory.
What is the rule in sport?
2G is mandatory in fitness and dance studios or similar facilities. It’s the same with indoor sports – and in all Berlin swimming pools.
And at events?
The 2G rule generally applies to events in closed rooms. This does not apply to courses in universities, for example. Only vaccinated and convalescents are allowed outside if events have more than 2000 participants.
What is changing in the workplace?
Does the 2G rule apply in the workplace and employees have customer contact – for example in a restaurant, then when, when, when vaccinated, recovered or tested negative no more than 24 hours in advance. For staff in hospitals who deal with patients, the rule is golden: Those who have not been vaccinated or recovered must have themselves tested daily.
And is there an obligation to work from home?
No, the Senate couldn’t bring itself to do that. But commercial and public employers in Berlin are required to ensure that a maximum of half of the office workplaces are used at the same time. Activities with customer or patient contact and workplaces where the presence of employees is necessary for the functioning of the judiciary and administration are excluded.
Who controls compliance with the 2G rule?
State Secretary for Health Martin Matz (SPD) has announced that controls are to be stepped up. However, several districts have already pointed out that the possibilities of their regulatory agencies are limited. The police union GdP has declared that the police can only make spot checks if necessary. The managing director of the hotel and restaurant association Dehoga Berlin, Thomas Lengfelder, has requested more controls from the regulatory authorities in the districts. For this, among other things, the association of business associations in Berlin and Brandenburg and the Berlin hairdressers guild.