The German government is seeking out open-air spaces where gatherings can be held as a lifeline for the country’s ailing nightlife industry. Many also presume that by encouraging social distancing-compliant events, lawmakers hope to curb the illegal raves popping up amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to DJ Mag, all 12 of Germany’s district mayors are looking for outdoor areas that can be repurposed for nightlife events. The guidance follows petitions from the country’s nightlife professionals, many of whom argue that even with the government’s €30 million cultural aid package they will not be able to continue operating.
“Berlin misses its diverse club scene. Clubs and bars are suffering economically during the corona crisis,” said Berlin economics minister Ramona Pop, reported Berliner Morgenpost. “We want to create legal opportunities to party in public areas for the clubs and Berliners.”
Social Differences
The move to encourage safer outdoor events differs greatly from the approaches taken by some other countries’ lawmakers. U.K. authorities have responded to their own surge of illegal raves with greater police intervention, resulting in arrests connected with events in Staffordshire and Somerset, among other areas.
Meanwhile, France has moved to lift COVID-19 regulations. The country’s lawmakers announced that events of up to 5,000 can resume despite confirmed case counts creeping back above the 3,000 mark in recent weeks.
German authorities have extended their ban on large-scale events in the traditional format from the end of October through the rest of 2020.
