Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: How many people am I allowed to meet under new Covid-19 rules?

As Germany deals with a resurgence in coronavirus cases, states have tightened contact restrictions. We break it down for you.

Published: 20 October 2020 16:38 CEST
Updated: 20 October 2020 17:49 CEST
Living in Germany: How many people am I allowed to meet under new Covid-19 rules?
People walking in Chemnitz, Saxony. Photo: DPA

Chancellor Angela Merkel and the state leaders agreed last week on new restrictions to try and keep the spread of coronavirus under control in Germany.

They include:

– If a district or city logs on average 35 infections per 100,000 people in seven days there should be: extended mask restrictions in busy places, possible curfews for bars and restaurants, restrictions on numbers at big events, a maximum 25 people allowed to meet for celebrations in public spaces and 15 in private rooms.

– If a district or city logs 50 infections per 100,000 residents in seven days there should be: an 11pm curfew on restaurants and bars, a maximum of 100 people at events (except if hygiene plans are given the go ahead), a max of 10 people or two households allowed at private celebrations, max of 10 people allowed to meet in public, possible accommodation bans, new mask restrictions, and people should avoid non essential travel.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about Germany's new coronavirus measures for autumn

But there can be differences in the way the rules are implemented across federal states. Here's a rundown of the latest rules in each state. As the situation can change quickly, please keep an eye on your local government website. We've listed the links below.


BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG: Since Monday, only a maximum of 10 people or the members of two households can meet privately or indoors. Public gatherings are also limited to 10 people. In general, a minimum distance of 1.5 metres must be maintained.

BAVARIA: Groups of up to 10 people can meet in public spaces. In private rooms and gardens there is no number restriction, but the number of people should be limited so that a minimum distance of 1.5 metres can be maintained.

Locally, this requirement may vary depending on the incidence of infection. If the incidence value rises steadily above 50, only people from a maximum of two households, close relatives or groups of up to five people can meet.

A lockdown is in place in the Alpine district of Berchtesgadener Land.

BERLIN: Outdoors, only five people or people from two households can meet from 11pm to 6am in public. A court overturned a curfew for pubs, shops and late night outlets between 11pm and 6am. However, alcohol is still not allowed to be served during this time.

During the day, groups of up to 50 people will still be permitted to meet outdoors. Private events and meetings indoors can have a maximum amount of 10 people. Previously the limit for indoor gatherings was 25.

BRANDENBURG: No contact restrictions apply at the moment. However, in future, if the state hits 50 new infections per 100 000 inhabitants in seven days, only up to 10 people will be able to meet in public.

There will also be a curfew for bars and restaurants from 11pm. Masks are already obligatory in public transport and in shops. In areas that clock up 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, masks will also be mandatory in offices and restaurants if you are not at your seat.

BREMEN: Because of the high infection rates in the city of Bremen, a maximum of five people may meet in public without a minimum distance of 1.5 metres between them.

HAMBURG: In a private setting, up to 25 people can come together for celebrations, regardless of the number of households. Meetings in public are limited to 10 people from any number of households. In addition, prostitution is permitted again – but under strict conditions and only in registered prostitution centres.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about travelling within Germany right now

HESSE: Up to 10 people can meet in public without having to keep the minimum distance and regardless of the number of households they come from.

MECKLENBURG-WESTERN POMERANIA: There are no contact restrictions. However, everyone is required to keep the required distances as far as possible and to wear face masks if a 1.5m distance can't be maintained.

LOWER SAXONY: For groups of up to 10 people, the minimum distance of one and a half metres does not apply. In the case of relatives or members of two households, the group may be larger without having to keep the distance. For private meetings a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors can gather.

NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA: In principle groups of up to 10 people from different households can meet in public. From an infection value of 50 cases per 100,000 people in seven days, only meetings of five people are permitted in the affected district or town.

RHINELAND-PALATINATE: Up to 10 people are allowed to meet, regardless of the number of households they come from. The state capital of Mainz restricts the number of people or households meeting in public spaces to a maximum of five people or two households.

SAARLAND: Meetings of up to 10 people are allowed.

SAXONY: Two households can meet. Meetings of up to 10 people are also permitted, indoors and outdoors. In future, if 35 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants occur within seven days, there will be a curfew from 11pm in the catering trade. If there are 50 new infections per 100 000 inhabitants within one week, there will be a ban on the sale of alcohol from 10pm.

SAXONY-ANHALT: The state government recommends that people do not meet in groups of more than 10 and to keep the number of people you are in contact with in person to a minimum. There are no contact restrictions.

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN: Meetings of up to 50 people are permitted in private rooms. Outside, up to 150 people are allowed to gather.


THURINGIA: There are no contact restrictions. However, the current regulation recommends meeting only with one other household or with a maximum of 10 people.

Helpful websites for planning:

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

HEALTH

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

Published: 20 September 2023 12:05 CEST
Updated: 20 September 2023 22:22 CEST
Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI,  the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent. 

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI. 

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI. 

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests. 

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well. 

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

SHOW COMMENTS