Also this year “Oktoberfest” will not take place – Entertainment

The traditional Munich beer festival “Oktoberfest” has been canceled for the second year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bavarian Prime Minister Marcus Zeder announced on Monday.

It will not be possible to organize large public events, including the Oktoberfest, in Bavaria this year, Zeder said after a meeting with Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter.

“In social beer tents at large festivals, social distancing, masks and other events are virtually impossible,” the prime minister added.

Meanwhile, Reiter has acknowledged that the abolition of Oktoberfest will be a great disappointment to millions of people and will have “existential consequences” for many people’s livelihoods.

Oktoberfest attracts about six million visitors each year, but in 2020, for the first time since World War II, the beer festival was canceled.

However, in the past, “Oktoberfest” has repeatedly fallen victim to epidemics. Due to cholera, the beer tents remained empty in 1854 and 1873.

Meanwhile, as the vaccination campaign grows and the number of new infections declines, the German government began on Monday to consider easing quarantine restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Some federal low vaccinees have already lifted contact restrictions, but nationwide relief is expected by the weekend.

However, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said in an interview with the media group “Funke” on Monday that there is no reason to talk about such big events as “Oktoberfest”.

“We must avoid large crowds in limited areas until further notice,” the minister said.

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