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Berlin to relax more Covid-19 rules from Saturday

Sophie Shanahan
Sophie Shanahan - [email protected]
Berlin to relax more Covid-19 rules from Saturday
Berliners going to the reopened cinema Kino International on July 1st. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Paul Zinken

Berlin is further relaxing its coronavirus rules this Saturday. Here’s a rundown of what's changing in the capital.

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The rate of infection for Covid-19 has remained low in Berlin, with the figure currently standing at 5.6 infections per 100,000. As a result, restrictions on private meetings, events and mask wearing will all be relaxed as of Saturday July 10th. 

Contact restrictions lifted

From Saturday onwards, private meetings indoors will be unrestricted, meaning there is no limit on how many people can meet inside. People are still encouraged to get tested regularly, particularly before meeting up in large groups. 

At the moment a maximum of 10 people from of five households are allowed to meet indoors. Children up to the age of 14 as well as the fully vaccinated and people who have recovered from Covid are not counted.

READ ALSO: How Germany's Covid-19 rules for workers are changing from July

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Mask changes

FFP2 masks must still be worn on public transport but, from Saturday, medical masks will also be acceptable in shops, restaurants, education facilities, during church services, and in libraries and museums. 

Since the start of the month, there has been no requirement to wear a mask in outdoor public spaces, except where it is not possible to socially distance. 

Larger events

From July 10th, indoor events with up to 1,000 people will once again be allowed. If there is adequate ventilation in the event space, the limit is 2,000.

For indoor events with 50 or more participants, you will still need to present a negative test result in order to gain entry. 

For outdoor events, the upper limit on attendees is 2,000 people, and a test is compulsory for events with more than 750 participants.

Events with 2,000 to 5,000 people present at the same time outdoors can be approved in individual cases with hygiene concepts and in consultation with the administration responsible for health.

At events with more than 20 people present at the same time, visitors present must be assigned a fixed seat, unless all those present have tested negatively for Covid-19. 

Note that you don't need to provide a negative Covid test if you can show proof of being fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. 

Sports events

The stadiums will start filling up again soon. Sports and cultural events with crowds above 5,000 will be permitted in areas with a 7-day incidence of less than 35 per 100,000. A negative test will still be required, and no more than 25,000 spectators will be admitted. 

READ ALSO: German football fans get green light to return to stadiums next season

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Clubs, bars and... drinking in car parks

From Saturday onwards, the limit on outdoor dance floors will be raised to 1,000 people, though the requirements for presenting a negative test result and wearing a medical face mask will remain in place. 

Berlin's legendary techno club Berghain will open its outdoor area on Saturday - depending on the weather.

"From this Saturday on, if the weather is good, we will open our outdoor dance floor with a DJ programme every weekend," said the world-famous club on its website.

People will only be allowed to enter if they can show proof of being vaccinated, have recovered from Covid-19 or have tested negatively for Covid. And they'll also have to get through the notorious tough door policy, of course.

Masks are also mandatory in the club garden. 

Festivals can once again take place too, as long as they are in accordance with the new rules on outdoor events and testing. 

Meanwhile, the ban on drinking alcohol in car parks will be lifted.

READ ALSO: Outdoor contact relaxed: Berlin's latest coronavirus rules

Tourism changes

Appointments for excursions, city tours, boat trips and similar offers for tourist purposes are not required. Plus, people attending these trips only have to be tested for Covid if they are visiting closed indoor areas. 

 

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