In its handling of the coronavirus, Germany has been something of a model, alternately admired and envied across the world.
For good reason: The curve has flattened. The number of people newly infected each day is stable. The absolute number of deaths and the fatality rate remain low compared to other countries. And the reproduction factor — a key metric to measure the virus’s spread — hovers around one, meaning that on average, one infected person infects only one other person. The first wave of the virus has passed. Germany, cautiously, is reopening.
But as it gradually eases up, opening shops, schools and even museums, the country is learning a tough lesson: The way out is much harder than the way in. Loosening the lockdown, even in conditions of relative success, is fraught with difficulties.
Current openings and postponements (as of June 12th, 2.30 pm)
* Tegel Airport will remain open until November
* Museums and galleries, parks and gardens are open again.
* Shops were officially allowed to open their doors since 9 May.
* Restaurants, bars and pubs in Berlin may open from 2 June from 6am – 11pm, subject to conditions.
* Hotels and guesthouses will be allowed to open from 25 May.
* Sightseeing tours by bus and boat are also possible again from 25 May – provided that the hygiene rules are observed.
* Open-air events such as concerts or film screenings with up to 200 participants are possible from 2 June.
* Starting on 23 May you are allowed to rummage on flea markets again.
* As of 25 May, selected outdoor swimming pools are opening (changing rooms and showers will remain closed). Cinemas may open from 30 June.
Tips for a safe visit to Berlin:
* Most attractions offer online tickets with time slot selection and disinfection options.
* However, you should continue to practice social distancing. As far as possible, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be maintained.
* Families and house communities may spend time outside together, but a minimum distance of 5 meters must be maintained between individual groups.
* Wearing a mouth-nose mask in public is strongly recommended, in public transportation, it will be compulsory to wear a mouthguard from 27 April 2020, in retail outlets it will be compulsory to wear a mouth-nose mask from Wednesday 29 April. Children up to the age of six years are exempt.
The guidelines of the Robert-Koch-Institute apply as a benchmark. You should also use them as a basis for your personal planning.
