The event, which takes place annually in late September, would be too dangerous “as long as there is no vaccine”, Söder said.

Even with masks and social distancing, the risk would be too high, he said, adding, “living with the coronavirus means living carefully”.

Germany has banned major events until August 31st as part of measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

The festival, which dates back to 1810, had been scheduled to take place from September 19th until October 4th. However, there had been a question mark over Oktoberfest going ahead since it's such a huge event.

Around six million visitors in total attend the event, also known as Wiesn, in Munich every year.

The local economy generated more than €1.2 billion thanks to Oktoberfest in 2018, according to the economic department of the Bavarian state capital.

Söder, of the CSU, and Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter, of the Social Democrats, announced in a press conference that the event was cancelled this year.

“We want to continue to protect Bavaria,” Söder said. 2020 is “a year, unfortunately, without Wiesn,” he added.

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Before the cancellation, Söder had said he was sceptical about whether a festival of this size could take place during the pandemic.

Oktoberfest has been cancelled before due to major outbreaks.

Archive photo shows groups drinking beer at Oktoberfest. Photo: DPA

Due to cholera, the festival was cancelled in 1854 and 1873. And during wartime, the beer festival did not go ahead. It was also put on pause during hyperinflation in 1923.

READ ALSO: Bavaria – How Germany's worst-hit state is emerging from coronavirus lockdown

Why are events banned at the moment?

In new guidelines published last Wednesday, the government said large-scale events “play a major role in the dynamics of infection”.

Experts have repeatedly said that close-contact social gatherings have contributed to the spread of coronavirus.

Large outbreaks, such as that in Heinsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, have stemmed from social gatherings. In this area, a carnival event is thought to have fuelled the spread of Covid-19 in communities.

This ban on events therefore helps to contain the spread of coronavirus and at the same time provides some clarity for organisers and consumers.