Christmas market Hanover: “The best made of the situation”

“It’s great that the Christmas market is even possible despite Corona – and they really made the best of the situation,” beamed visitor Alexandra Winkel (16), who strolled between the stalls at the Marktkirche with two friends from Frankfurt and Berlin.

The controls would create “a feeling of security,” she says. In fact, a HAZ sample at around a dozen booths showed that there are strict and consistent controls everywhere. Vaccination or recovery certificate plus test certificate or booster certificate – otherwise nothing will be served. However, the controls have not become any easier with the latest regulations.

2G-plus regulation requires constant rechecking

Actually, the idea was that every visitor should show the vaccination or recovery certificate once before eating, receive a wristband and can also identify themselves at the next booth. The introduction of the 2G-plus regulation, which now also requires a current test certificate, complicates this regulation. “We don’t know whether the ribbon is from the day before – and because the test is only valid for 24 hours, we now have to have the test certificate shown each time,” explains one stand operator.

This also applies to those who have been boosted, including people with third-party vaccinations. Because you can’t see the status of the guest on the ribbon, the booster ID has to be shown every time you order a new mulled wine.

“Most people understand”

It’s not complicated – you just hold up your cell phone for a moment – but it still turns out to be fatal for guests like Ute Hermann. The Hildesheim girl was already there the day before and therefore still has her ribbon on her arm, but this time she no longer has her booster pads with her. Now she has been waiting in line at the concession stand while the grandchildren ride the carousel with her husband – but when it is finally her turn she is not served. “I am not allowed to give you anything without the current proof. I’m sorry, those are the rules, ”the landlord apologizes.

Is Ute Hermann scolding? Is she escaping the rules and complexity of visiting the Christmas market? No. Instead, she says, “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that,” and turns to leave so her husband can get the drinks. “It’s not easy for everyone, but most people understand,” says the Budenwirt.

Mona Netzbandt (23) confirms this. She is on the market with her friends Andrew Dittmer (38) and Kevin Klinert (24). “These rules make it even possible for us to stroll through the market during a pandemic,” she says. “I think it’s good,” says Klinert: “And I have the feeling that most of them stick to it.”

The siblings Ann-Marie and Jonas Krampe from Springe have discovered another advantage. “Visiting the Christmas market has become something special,” says Jonas Krampe (22). Because you have to get a test certificate beforehand, you no longer go there randomly and spontaneously. “And because you are usually at home a lot, the quality of the experience is higher,” says Ann-Marie Krampe (26).

While the visitors are clearly enjoying the market, the stand operators are missing queues earlier – and with them the usual sales. “15 to 20 percent” of the daily turnover from previous years brings his mulled beer stall on Ballhofplatz, says operator Celso Espinoza from the respective craft beer bar. “That’s just enough to pay the personnel costs.”

The balance on the chestnut stand is also bleak. “In 2019, after a good Christmas market day, I had a turnover of 3,000 euros in my pocket,” says salesman Jens Hübner from Fürstenberg / Havel. On such days he would prepare seven to eight sacks of chestnuts and sell them in paper bags. “Now I can be happy when a sack goes away on a Saturday”.

Well, it could be a little bit because of the prices. 5.50 euros for a medium-sized paper bag with 15 chestnuts – a visit to the Christmas market can tear deep holes in a family budget. But the stand operators are also condemned to carry on. You have contracts with the city. “If we just don’t open the booths, then that will result in contractual penalties,” says Hübner.

Hanover’s Christmas market remains open

The state association of market feeders recently pleaded that the Christmas markets would rather be banned than continue them under 2G conditions. Some cities like Göttingen are condensed and have put an end to it. In Hanover, on the other hand, the market remains open – to the delight of visitors.

From Conrad von Meding