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NIGHTLIFE

Berlin’s KitKat fetish nightclub to become Covid-19 testing centre

Berlin's legendary KitKat fetish nightclub will reopen to the public on Friday, but visitors might be disappointed to discover that the only latex on show will be medical gloves.

Berlin's KitKat fetish nightclub to become Covid-19 testing centre
The KitKat Club premises in Berlin. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Gobbler

Closed for the past eight months because of coronavirus restrictions, the nightclub is to be transformed into a Covid-19 testing centre.

“Since it is practically impossible to get a rapid test in Berlin at the moment, we will be offering this possibility at the club from Friday,” the management announced on its Facebook page on Monday.

Located in the heart of Berlin, KitKat is famous for its sexually uninhibited club nights, with punters often dressed in latex, leather or indeed nothing at all.

The tests will be carried out by a doctor and “trained personnel”, the club said, and results ready within 25 minutes.

“Be wild and come naked! (Please don't. Would be funny, but would probably lead to reports of suspected parties),” said the club, a pillar of Berlin nightlife since it was opened by an Austrian in 1994.

Punters can register online for the swab tests, which will be conducted from Wednesday to Sunday.

A test costs €24.90 ($30) and if the result is positive, the infected person should immediately quarantine and contact their doctor, the club said.

The move caused a stir on social media, with people joking about how long the queues – which were a regular feature when the club was open – will be for tests.

Nightlife hit by pandemic

Clubs and bars across Germany, especially in Berlin, are reeling from months of closure due to coronavirus restrictions.

Despite financial support from the city, short-time working and crowdfunding campaigns, many are fighting for survival.

The famous Berghain club has been keeping the spirit of Berlin nightlife alive by offering an exhibition of work by local contemporary artists.

However, even exhibitions and galleries have had to close, along with restaurants, bars, cafes and leisure facilities, throughout November and until at least December 20th.

Berlin's reputation as the capital of German nightlife and techno music attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year.

READ ALSO: Berlin clubs receive an average of €81,000 to ensure corona doesn't kill off techno

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NIGHTLIFE

Bavaria mulls reopening clubs – but only for the vaccinated

Bavarian revellers could once again be able to hit the clubs in their home state this autumn - but only if they've had their Covid jabs.

Bavaria mulls reopening clubs - but only for the vaccinated
Guests partying at the exclusive P1 club in Munich. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Nicolas Armer

Markus Söder, the Bavarian state premier, told his cabinet on Tuesday that he wanted to reintroduce much more freedom for the vaccinated over the coming months, according to a report on BR24.

This would include opening night-time events and clubs for the vaccinated in autumn, and allowing immunised people to attend sporting events without counting in the official attendance numbers. 

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

Since Thursday, sporting events in the southern state have allowed up to 20,000 attendees – around half the capacity of a football stadium.

People who’d been fully vaccinated could also avoid quarantining on their return from holiday – though it is unclear how this would differ from national rules that exempt inoculated people from quarantine when they return from risk areas and high-incidence areas.

Under federal rules however, vaccinated people must quarantine when coming from a ‘virus variant area of concern’.

The timeline for introducing the new privileges is still unconfirmed, though the clubs could reopen after summer.

However, Söder believes that much more young people need to get vaccinated in Bavaria for his nightlife plans to make sense. 

Markus Söder, Bavaria and CSU leader. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

Jabs in shops, mosques and fast-food restaurants

The promise of getting to enjoy nightlife again isn’t the only way the Bavarian government is encouraging vaccination.

The state premier also wants see pop-up vaccination clinics set up camp in supermarkets, shopping malls, kebab shops, mosques, restaurants, pubs, and leisure centres. “Whatever works for each local area,” Söder said. 

READ ALSO: Car parks, job centres and festivals: How Germany is trying to get Covid jabs to everyone

In addition, mobile vaccination teams will head to markets, major sports events and businesses to offer spur-of-the-moment shots to anyone who wants one.

Meanwhile, the big state vaccination centres will become a lot more like drop-in clinics, with no appointment or prior registration needed for first-vaccinations. 

“The incentive to get vaccinated isn’t a currywurst or a beer,” said Söder, “The incentive is the ability to live a normal life again.”

Getting jabbed is the only way to “free ourselves from the Covid sword of Damocles,” he added. 

Söder has been considering ways to speed up Bavaria’s flagging vaccination drive for a number of weeks now as the state continues to trail behind the national figures

READ ALSO: Bavaria opens up Covid vaccines to all adults in bid to speed up jab drive

At present, 57 percent of people in Bavaria have received at least one jab, while 42.7 percent of the population are fully vaccinated.

On a national level, 58,9 percent of people have had their first dose of vaccine, while 43.7 percent are now fully immunised. 

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