EXPLAINED: These are the current social coronavirus rules around Germany
As coronavirus cases go up around Germany, new rules are being enforced. However, they can vary widely. We break down what they are within the country's most affected areas.
Over the past few days, several German states have scrambled to put new regulations in place as the number of new infections countrywide reached levels not logged since April.
Here's an overview of the most affected areas, and what their current measures for public life and gatherings are.
READ ALSO: LATEST: Germany lists 33 internal coronavirus risk areas as infections grow
Bavaria: Weddings and other private celebrations or meetings can take place with up to 100 people in an enclosed space, and no more than 200 people outdoors. However, these figures can vary locally depending on the local situation.
In the entire southern state, it’s recommended that private celebrations don’t have more than 25 participants. However, in cities which have exceeded the critical value of more than 50 infections per 100,000 residents in seven days - such as Munich or Rosenheim - this becomes a mandatory measure.
Baden-Württemberg: For private celebrations such as weddings up to 500 people are allowed to participate. For gatherings of more than 100 people, a hygiene plan is, however, required to be in place.
In cities and districts in which the critical value of 50 infections has been exceeded - for example Stuttgart and the district of Esslingen - private celebrations in rented rooms with no more than 25 people are allowed. For gatherings at home, that number is then limited to 10.
The southwestern state also applies measures to cities and districts where over 35 per 100,000 residents have been infected. Up to 50 people are allowed to celebrate in public spaces, whereas the number is reduced to 25 people in private spaces.
Berlin: Since Saturday, a maximum of 10 people can gather together in a private space. During the night between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am, only five people - or members of two different households - are allowed to gather together.
Bars, restaurants and shops, including Spätis, are also closed between these hours, and alcohol can’t be sold, even at petrol stations. It’s the first time since World War II that such a ban has come into effect.
Bremen: The harbourside city-state has reached a critical value of over 50 infections per 100,000 residents in the past seven days. As a result, private gatherings in rented spaces - whether they me Verein meetings or weddings - of up to only 25 people are allowed.
For private parties at home, the state has issued an “urgent recommendation” to limit the number of participants to 10. The measures are slated to remain in place until the city’s critical value dips below 50.
Hesse: Private events in rented spaces of up to 250 people are allowed, but are subject to approval first.
Depending on the local situation, the maximum number of guests allowed at private celebrations may be reduced from 50 to 25.
The outdoor festival, "Autumn in the city" which is currently taking place in Frankfurt. Photo: DPA
Capital Frankfurt, in which the critical value has been exceeded, will also introduce a curfew from 11 pm (up from the 10 pm which was originally planned) to 6 am. As with Berlin and Offenbach, which has also reached a critical level, there will be a ban on selling alcohol between these hours.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus second wave: What can we expect in Germany this autumn and winter?
Hamburg: Private celebrations in the Harbour City have a limit of 25 participants. For celebrations in public spaces which are rented out and in which alcohol is served, for example for birthday parties or weddings, a maximum of 50 people are permitted.
North Rhine-Westphalia: A number of cities in the western German state have exceeded a critical value of infections. However, for private celebrations at home there’s not a limit to the number of people who can participate.
However, anyone who wants to bring the gathering out of their home to a rented space can only have up to 150 participants - a number which is soon set to be reduced to 50.
In cities such as Cologne or Duisberg where the critical value of 50 infections has been exceeded, this is further reduced to 25.
Rhineland-Palatinate: The capital of the southern state, Mainz, is now considered a risk area with more than 50 infections.
Here family celebrations or weddings are allowed when the number of guests is established in advance, and the number is limited to 75.
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Over the past few days, several German states have scrambled to put new regulations in place as the number of new infections countrywide reached levels not logged since April.
Here's an overview of the most affected areas, and what their current measures for public life and gatherings are.
READ ALSO: LATEST: Germany lists 33 internal coronavirus risk areas as infections grow
Bavaria: Weddings and other private celebrations or meetings can take place with up to 100 people in an enclosed space, and no more than 200 people outdoors. However, these figures can vary locally depending on the local situation.
In the entire southern state, it’s recommended that private celebrations don’t have more than 25 participants. However, in cities which have exceeded the critical value of more than 50 infections per 100,000 residents in seven days - such as Munich or Rosenheim - this becomes a mandatory measure.
Baden-Württemberg: For private celebrations such as weddings up to 500 people are allowed to participate. For gatherings of more than 100 people, a hygiene plan is, however, required to be in place.
In cities and districts in which the critical value of 50 infections has been exceeded - for example Stuttgart and the district of Esslingen - private celebrations in rented rooms with no more than 25 people are allowed. For gatherings at home, that number is then limited to 10.
The southwestern state also applies measures to cities and districts where over 35 per 100,000 residents have been infected. Up to 50 people are allowed to celebrate in public spaces, whereas the number is reduced to 25 people in private spaces.
Berlin: Since Saturday, a maximum of 10 people can gather together in a private space. During the night between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am, only five people - or members of two different households - are allowed to gather together.
Bars, restaurants and shops, including Spätis, are also closed between these hours, and alcohol can’t be sold, even at petrol stations. It’s the first time since World War II that such a ban has come into effect.
Bremen: The harbourside city-state has reached a critical value of over 50 infections per 100,000 residents in the past seven days. As a result, private gatherings in rented spaces - whether they me Verein meetings or weddings - of up to only 25 people are allowed.
For private parties at home, the state has issued an “urgent recommendation” to limit the number of participants to 10. The measures are slated to remain in place until the city’s critical value dips below 50.
Hesse: Private events in rented spaces of up to 250 people are allowed, but are subject to approval first.
Depending on the local situation, the maximum number of guests allowed at private celebrations may be reduced from 50 to 25.
The outdoor festival, "Autumn in the city" which is currently taking place in Frankfurt. Photo: DPA
Capital Frankfurt, in which the critical value has been exceeded, will also introduce a curfew from 11 pm (up from the 10 pm which was originally planned) to 6 am. As with Berlin and Offenbach, which has also reached a critical level, there will be a ban on selling alcohol between these hours.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus second wave: What can we expect in Germany this autumn and winter?
Hamburg: Private celebrations in the Harbour City have a limit of 25 participants. For celebrations in public spaces which are rented out and in which alcohol is served, for example for birthday parties or weddings, a maximum of 50 people are permitted.
North Rhine-Westphalia: A number of cities in the western German state have exceeded a critical value of infections. However, for private celebrations at home there’s not a limit to the number of people who can participate.
However, anyone who wants to bring the gathering out of their home to a rented space can only have up to 150 participants - a number which is soon set to be reduced to 50.
In cities such as Cologne or Duisberg where the critical value of 50 infections has been exceeded, this is further reduced to 25.
Rhineland-Palatinate: The capital of the southern state, Mainz, is now considered a risk area with more than 50 infections.
Here family celebrations or weddings are allowed when the number of guests is established in advance, and the number is limited to 75.
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