Strolling between decorated huts, sipping thickly wrapped up mulled wine or admiring nativity scenes – for many, the hustle and bustle of Christmas markets is part of Advent. In some cases it has to be dispensed with this year. Because in many places the motto is: one-way streets instead of turmoil, food to go instead of social gatherings and a mask in addition to a scarf and hat. For some markets that is too much – for them Corona 2020 means the end.
Christmas markets 2020 in Germany: Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt canceled, mask requirement in Munich
The world-famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt was canceled on Monday, while some other cities in Bavaria are still preparing for the Christmas market season. Next Munich the Christkindlesmarkt is supposed to take place in Bayreuth. Everywhere, however, the following applies: booth magic with cutbacks. There is one in Munich, where the market is due to start on November 23rd Mask requirement at the stands. So that strollers don’t get too close, the stalls are spread out at intervals of five to ten meters. Alcohol can only be consumed with registration and only in catering areas. Many smaller markets such as in Fürth or Coburg, however, are canceled.
North Rhine-Westphalia announces the cancellation of the Christmas market in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Duisburg
Many Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia are also falling victim to the pandemic. Cologne in particular is hit hard, where the popular tourist markets at the cathedral and in the old town have been canceled. There won’t be any in downtown Düsseldorf either Christmas Market give, just as little in Aachen and Duisburg.
The people in Essen, on the other hand, can still look forward to their traditional Christmas market in the city center – the start is scheduled for November 13th. Instead of leisurely strolling around with a cup in hand, one is planning with “mulled wine gardens”, reported the Essen Marketing Society. In this way, the market should be safe and nevertheless contemplative. A special detailed regulation: mouth and nose protection must be worn at the stands.
No mulled wine at the Christmas market! Leipzig decides to ban alcohol
Those responsible for the market must inform themselves about a mask requirement at stalls Leipzig don’t worry. Because gastronomic offers such as mulled wine and bratwurst stands are prohibited here. Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD) spoke of not an easy decision. But one wants to protect the health of the citizens. “And we want them to be able to visit their families for Christmas.”
Next to Leipzig the famous Striezelmarkt will also take place in Saxony’s capital Dresden. An expansion of the area and the equalization of trade and gastronomy should make it possible. 40 of the 230 dealers are to move from the Altmarkt to the Elbe, including a step pyramid and historic Ferris wheel.
New rules in the corona pandemic: How should Christmas markets in 2020 be organized?
Preparations are already under way in Magdeburg, the capital of the neighboring state of Saxony-Anhalt. As in many other cities, the area has also been significantly expanded so that the Christmas market now extends through more parts of the city center.
In Erfurt, however, the largest Christmas market in Thuringia does not take place, nor does the popular Christmas magic at Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The health and economic risks have become incalculable in view of the increasing number of new infections. “That is no longer justifiable,” said the organizer Helmut Russ, who made the decision “with a heavy heart”.
The Christmas market at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz, on the other hand, should take place despite the exceptional situation. Significantly fewer sales stands, more distance between the stalls and plastic sheeting as protection are planned, among other things, said spokeswoman Angelika Grüttner.
Cancellation or strict requirements for planned Christmas markets in Heilbronn, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main
Corona is also putting a spanner in the works for the Christmas markets in southwest Germany. The markets in Heilbronn, Freiburg and Karlsruhe have already been canceled, in Stuttgart and Mannheim they are on the brink. Nevertheless, a cozy atmosphere in the inner cities should be ensured. “Instead, more festive lighting should put people in the Christmas mood,” said a spokeswoman for the city of Heilbronn.
There have also been cancellations in Hesse – including for the Christmas market in Frankfurt. Wiesbaden, on the other hand, is planning with the Budenzauber, distributed over a larger area. The same applies to the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital Mainz.
Will there be Christmas markets in Lower Saxony this year?
While many cities have already decided for or against a Christmas market, the planning has not yet been completed in many places – for example in Bremen. The Senate will probably make the decision this week, as a spokesman for the economic department announced. In Lower Saxony, too, many Christmas markets are on the brink.
It is also clear that increasing numbers of infections are more likely to lead to further cancellations. This should hit artisans particularly hard. For them, the Christmas markets should actually be the lifeline in this already difficult year.
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place / news.de / dpa
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