What's closing (and staying open) under new lockdown rules in Germany?
On Wednesday Germany entered a tougher lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus. That means several shops and services are closing - while others remain open.
Here's look at what's staying open and closing until at least the end of the stricter lockdown measures on January 10th.
What will remain open?
Markets
It’s still possible to shop at supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as health food stores (Reformhäuser) and stores which sell wholesale products (Großhandel).
Specialty stores
Pick-up and delivery services, baby supply stores (Babyfachmärkte), pet supply stores, pharmacies, medical stores (Sanitätshäuser), feed markets, opticians, hearing aid acousticians (Hörgeräteakustiker) and drug stores will also keep their doors open over the holidays.
Places selling Christmas trees, for example in the parking lots of construction stores, can also remain open.
READ ALSO: Job fears grow in Germany as coronavirus closes shops again
Daily services
Customers can continue going to use post offices, banks and Sparkassen (savings banks), dry cleaning shops and laundrettes.
Transportation related services
Petrol stations, car repair shops and bicycle repair shops will continue to offer their services.
A woman shopping for a Christmas tree in Dortmund on Monday. Christmas tree markets are allowed to remain open during the extended lockdown. Photo: DPA
What is closing?
Personal care treatments
Personal care services such as hairdressing salons, cosmetic studios, massage practices, tattoo studios and similar businesses must close. Up until this point hairdressers remained open, but other personal services had to close on November 2nd.
However, medical treatments, for example physiotherapy, occupational therapy and logotherapy as well as podiatry/foot care will remain possible.
Retail
All shopping malls and retail stores are closing. Electronic chains, construction stores (Baumärkte) and book stores must largely also close - however, some states such as Berlin are making exceptions for book stores, as they also did in the spring partial lockdown.
Schools
Schools are closed as of today - or there is no longer a requirement to be present. Emergency care will be provided. The new rules are also to apply to kindergartens.
Some schools are offering online instruction during this time, but the rules vary widely state to state.
Continued closures (in place since partial lockdown started on November 2nd)
Restaurants, bars, and cafes will remain closed except for delivery and pick-up services.
Cultural institutions such as museums and opera houses also remain closed for the time being.
Leisure facilities, including gyms, stay closed, along with personal care services such as tattoo shops and beauty salons.
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Here's look at what's staying open and closing until at least the end of the stricter lockdown measures on January 10th.
What will remain open?
Markets
It’s still possible to shop at supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as health food stores (Reformhäuser) and stores which sell wholesale products (Großhandel).
Specialty stores
Pick-up and delivery services, baby supply stores (Babyfachmärkte), pet supply stores, pharmacies, medical stores (Sanitätshäuser), feed markets, opticians, hearing aid acousticians (Hörgeräteakustiker) and drug stores will also keep their doors open over the holidays.
Places selling Christmas trees, for example in the parking lots of construction stores, can also remain open.
READ ALSO: Job fears grow in Germany as coronavirus closes shops again
Daily services
Customers can continue going to use post offices, banks and Sparkassen (savings banks), dry cleaning shops and laundrettes.
Transportation related services
Petrol stations, car repair shops and bicycle repair shops will continue to offer their services.
A woman shopping for a Christmas tree in Dortmund on Monday. Christmas tree markets are allowed to remain open during the extended lockdown. Photo: DPA
What is closing?
Personal care treatments
Personal care services such as hairdressing salons, cosmetic studios, massage practices, tattoo studios and similar businesses must close. Up until this point hairdressers remained open, but other personal services had to close on November 2nd.
However, medical treatments, for example physiotherapy, occupational therapy and logotherapy as well as podiatry/foot care will remain possible.
Retail
All shopping malls and retail stores are closing. Electronic chains, construction stores (Baumärkte) and book stores must largely also close - however, some states such as Berlin are making exceptions for book stores, as they also did in the spring partial lockdown.
Schools
Schools are closed as of today - or there is no longer a requirement to be present. Emergency care will be provided. The new rules are also to apply to kindergartens.
Some schools are offering online instruction during this time, but the rules vary widely state to state.
Continued closures (in place since partial lockdown started on November 2nd)
Restaurants, bars, and cafes will remain closed except for delivery and pick-up services.
Cultural institutions such as museums and opera houses also remain closed for the time being.
Leisure facilities, including gyms, stay closed, along with personal care services such as tattoo shops and beauty salons.
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