As one of the last countries in Europe, Germany is also easing the lockdown this week. Terraces may open again, but also shops, cinemas, museums and zoos. The regained freedoms are enjoyed exuberantly.
But there is a big difference with the Netherlands: everything is only allowed with proof that you have had corona, a vaccination card or a negative corona test. There is not much criticism of this new ‘test society’.
In one of Berlin’s most famous Beer garden, the Cafe am Neuen See, they can’t wait. “It is as if we are waking up from hibernation,” says manager Saskia Frank, relieved. It is an hour before opening, the final preparations are being made, the staff are happy to see each other again. Although it takes some getting used to: “I was a bit rusty in the beginning”, laughs Frank, “even making small talk seemed almost forgotten.”
But now they are ready. They even opened their own testing center. “We don’t want to have to send anyone away,” says Frank. In the past few weeks, they have trained the staff to conduct the tests and do the administration.
Self-tests are not allowed. There are staff at the gate to check documents. “Yes, you have to do a lot to be allowed to drink your beer here. But yes, if you look at the German contamination figures, something is going well, so that’s fine with me.”
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