This year Christmas markets should take place again. But the corona pandemic has already meant the end of many markets in Germany. You can find out which cities are affected here.
Some Christmas markets have already been canceled.
Image: picture alliance / dpa | Roland incense (symbol photo)
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In 2020, Germans had to forego their beloved visits to the Christmas market. This year, the magic of the booth should again create a pre-Christmas atmosphere. Due to the immensely rising corona numbers, some residents have to enjoy their mulled wine on the sofa at home, because more and more Christmas markets are being canceled.
Because of the fourth corona wave: Bavaria cancels Christmas markets in 2021
In the short term are in Bayern Christmas markets have been canceled, elsewhere the start has been delayed in some cases. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) announced on November 19 that there would be no Christmas markets in the state this year. “We believe it leads to countless contacts, there is no effective control,” he said. The new package is to be decided in the cabinet on November 23rd and then discussed in the state parliament. All measures should then come into effect on the night of November 24th.
This means that the famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which would actually have started next Friday (November 26th), is canceled. One had hoped for a long time and worked conscientiously, said Nuremberg Mayor Marcus König (CSU) after Söder’s announcement. “But the national guidelines are clear. This means that the traditional market cannot take place for the second year in a row.”
The Christmas market around Munich’s Marienplatz had already been canceled on Tuesday due to the situations in the clinics and the increasing number of infections. Various other cities such as Würzburg had previously canceled their Christmas markets.
Other organizers wanted to use the time window they had left: The market in the courtyard of Gloria Fürstin von Thurn und Taxis in Regensburg was supposed to open on Friday as planned. “As long as I have not received a legally binding written prohibition, we will continue to operate the market,” said organizer Peter Kittel. Also in Bayreuth – where the stalls have been open since last Monday – the market should remain open, according to the city, at least on Saturday and probably also next Monday.
Christmas markets in Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein
There are also changes outside of Bavaria: In Saarland, open-air Christmas markets are basically still possible, but in Saarbrücken the opening planned for Monday will be postponed for the time being in order to revise the concept. In Rostock, according to the general decree issued on Friday afternoon, in areas of the Christmas market a mouth and nose covering can be worn in the city center. Anyone who wants to eat, drink or use an amusement ride at the Christmas market must be vaccinated, recovered or tested (3G rule). Proof is a wristband that can be picked up at one of four stations.
As soon as open, Brandenburg’s Christmas markets are expected to close again
Shortly after opening, the Christmas markets in Brandenburg are threatened with extinction. “Christmas markets are not to be opened or existing ones to be closed again,” the state government announced on Monday. The regulation should apply from Wednesday – on Tuesday the cabinet wants to decide on stricter corona rules.
The Christmas market on Luisenplatz and Bassinplatz in Potsdam only opened its doors on Monday morning. “I’m very sad and fight back tears,” said one saleswoman. “Why do you get vaccinated and do all of this?” The colleague at the sausage stand next door said: “If we had known that a week in advance, we would have left everything at home.”
In Cottbus, the second largest city in Brandenburg, the big wheel has been turning in the city center since today. According to spokesman Jan Gloßmann, the city wants to wait and see what new regulations the Brandenburg cabinet will announce on Tuesday. The Christmas market has also been open in Frankfurt (Oder) since Monday. The city wants to wait for the regulation of the state government, said spokesman Uwe Meier. Other cities and districts had previously announced that their Christmas markets would also be canceled this year. Including the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district with the Spreewald Christmas in Lehde.
Stuttgart cancels the Christmas market – fears of a crowd from the region
Over for booth magic and mulled wine in Stuttgart: Baden-Württemberg’s state capital canceled its Christmas market on Monday evening. “We have tried everything to make the Christmas market possible. After other large Christmas markets in the region, especially the Baroque Christmas market in Ludwigsburg and the medieval Christmas market in Esslingen, were canceled today, we are pulling the emergency brake,” said Mayor Frank Nopper (CDU) . Otherwise, from the Stuttgart perspective, the rush of visitors would probably no longer have been controllable and manageable under Corona conditions.
Nopper appealed to the federal and state levels to support the restaurateurs and showmen who are affected by the cancellations of the Christmas markets with corona relief measures. “Most of them are small family businesses whose existence is threatened as a result of the pandemic, and this winter is now even worse than before.” The Christmas market in Stuttgart should open on November 24th and last until December 30th.
Hessen, Berlin: Stroll with distance and mask – more Christmas markets open
With controls or a mask requirement, many Berlin Christmas markets were open on Monday during the corona pandemic. The first visitors strolled around the Christmas market on the Gendarmenmarkt in the morning. At the entrances everyone had to show their proof of vaccination or recovery. The 2G rule applies to the Christmas market.
At other Christmas markets, such as in front of the Red City Hall and at the Memorial Church near Ku’damm, people have to wear face masks; no proof of vaccination is required for this.
Hesse’s largest Christmas market also started. The market in Frankfurt has larger but fewer stalls. In addition, a mask is required. When consuming bratwurst, mulled wine and the like, the masks can be briefly removed on the spot. Only visitors who have survived a corona infection or have been vaccinated against it are allowed to enter two areas (2G). The city does without an official opening and a large stage with a music program in front of the Römer town hall.
The Monday after the Sunday of the Dead is the traditional opening day of Christmas markets in Germany. This year this is only the case in parts of the republic.
What rules apply to Christmas markets in Germany?
Depending on the federal state, different rules apply to German Christmas markets. In addition to hygiene concepts and other corona rules, such as distance and mask requirements, the 3G or 2G rule also apply.
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