Coronavirus: The key dates to know as Bavaria relaxes more restrictions
States across Germany are loosening restrictions put in place to stem the spread of coronavirus. Here's what's changing in Bavaria, the hardest-hit state in the crisis.
The federal government has been publishing nationwide guidelines about coronavirus restrictions. However Germany's 16 states are drawing up their own plans and rules can differ from state to state.
Check with your local government for the latest measures and any changes to rules.
Here's the latest developments in Bavaria:
- After more than two months of closure, hotels, guesthouses, youth hostels, holiday homes and camping sites in Bavaria will be allowed to receive guests again from Saturday May 30th – just in time for the start of the Whitsun holiday weekend (June 1st is a public holiday across Germany).
However, strict hygiene regulations, and some restrictions apply. Guests and staff must wear a covering over their mouth and nose in all communal areas (but not in the outdoor areas).
READ ALSO: What are the new rules for eating out in Germany?
- There is no date yet for the opening of saunas and wellness facilities in the southern state.
- At the same time as hotels and guesthouses, leisure facilities such as amusement parks can also start operating from May 30th. Cultural and city tours may also be held from May 30th onwards.
- From May 30th, Bavarian castles will also open again. However, visitor magnets such as the castles at Neuschwanstein and Linderhof as well as those in Munich and Würzburg will not be able to allow guests on the premises until June 2nd.
- Museums, galleries, exhibitions and memorials can reopen now, but visitors should purchase tickets online beforehand.
- Libraries are also open again, and from May 30th onwards language and adult education centres will also be open.
- Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and other cultural venues must remain closed until June 14th. After this date, events will be subject to a maximum limit of 50 visitors indoors and 100 visitors outdoors. Those attending these venues will have to wear masks.
READ ALSO: Bavaria: How Germany's worst-hit state is emerging from coronavirus lockdown
Restaurants, bars and beer gardens
- Since May 18th, restaurants and beer gardens have been allowed to serve in outdoor areas until 8pm. And since May 25th, restaurants have been allowed to reopen their indoor areas between 6 and 10pm.
- From June 2nd, beer gardens, and other outdoor food and drink venues, can open for two hours longer than usual – until 10pm.
But strict conditions continue to apply, such as a limited number of guests, the assurance of 1.5 metre distance between people and the obligation of the operator to draw up a protection and hygiene concept.
- For staff in the service area or in areas where the minimum distance of 1.5m cannot be maintained, the obligation to wear masks applies. Guests do not have to wear a face mask at the table, but should put it on during toilet visits and when entering the restaurant.
- There is no reopening date set for bars and pubs that don't sell food.
Sport
- Fitness studios and other similar venues will be allowed again from June 8th – but again there must be hygiene and distance plans in place.
- Open-air pools can open from June 8th
- Currently, contactless sport is allowed outdoors with up to five people. However, groups of up to 20 people will be allowed to train outside from June 8th.
Contact restrictions in Bavaria
The Germany-wide guidelines allow 10 people to meet outside or members of two households. However, in Bavaria the following rule still applies: members of two separate households can meet in both private and public spaces.
The federal and state governments have extended the contact restrictions until June 29th.
Masks
The obligation to wear masks still applies in shops and on public transport, as well as in stations and airports. In some cases, fines apply to those who fail to comply.
READ ALSO: Face masks in Germany: What are the requirements and potential fines in every state?
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The federal government has been publishing nationwide guidelines about coronavirus restrictions. However Germany's 16 states are drawing up their own plans and rules can differ from state to state.
Check with your local government for the latest measures and any changes to rules.
Here's the latest developments in Bavaria:
- After more than two months of closure, hotels, guesthouses, youth hostels, holiday homes and camping sites in Bavaria will be allowed to receive guests again from Saturday May 30th – just in time for the start of the Whitsun holiday weekend (June 1st is a public holiday across Germany).
However, strict hygiene regulations, and some restrictions apply. Guests and staff must wear a covering over their mouth and nose in all communal areas (but not in the outdoor areas).
READ ALSO: What are the new rules for eating out in Germany?
- There is no date yet for the opening of saunas and wellness facilities in the southern state.
- At the same time as hotels and guesthouses, leisure facilities such as amusement parks can also start operating from May 30th. Cultural and city tours may also be held from May 30th onwards.
- From May 30th, Bavarian castles will also open again. However, visitor magnets such as the castles at Neuschwanstein and Linderhof as well as those in Munich and Würzburg will not be able to allow guests on the premises until June 2nd.
- Museums, galleries, exhibitions and memorials can reopen now, but visitors should purchase tickets online beforehand.
- Libraries are also open again, and from May 30th onwards language and adult education centres will also be open.
- Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and other cultural venues must remain closed until June 14th. After this date, events will be subject to a maximum limit of 50 visitors indoors and 100 visitors outdoors. Those attending these venues will have to wear masks.
READ ALSO: Bavaria: How Germany's worst-hit state is emerging from coronavirus lockdown
Restaurants, bars and beer gardens
- Since May 18th, restaurants and beer gardens have been allowed to serve in outdoor areas until 8pm. And since May 25th, restaurants have been allowed to reopen their indoor areas between 6 and 10pm.
- From June 2nd, beer gardens, and other outdoor food and drink venues, can open for two hours longer than usual – until 10pm.
But strict conditions continue to apply, such as a limited number of guests, the assurance of 1.5 metre distance between people and the obligation of the operator to draw up a protection and hygiene concept.
- For staff in the service area or in areas where the minimum distance of 1.5m cannot be maintained, the obligation to wear masks applies. Guests do not have to wear a face mask at the table, but should put it on during toilet visits and when entering the restaurant.
- There is no reopening date set for bars and pubs that don't sell food.
Sport
- Fitness studios and other similar venues will be allowed again from June 8th – but again there must be hygiene and distance plans in place.
- Open-air pools can open from June 8th
- Currently, contactless sport is allowed outdoors with up to five people. However, groups of up to 20 people will be allowed to train outside from June 8th.
Contact restrictions in Bavaria
The Germany-wide guidelines allow 10 people to meet outside or members of two households. However, in Bavaria the following rule still applies: members of two separate households can meet in both private and public spaces.
The federal and state governments have extended the contact restrictions until June 29th.
Masks
The obligation to wear masks still applies in shops and on public transport, as well as in stations and airports. In some cases, fines apply to those who fail to comply.
READ ALSO: Face masks in Germany: What are the requirements and potential fines in every state?
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