Following in the footsteps of lawmakers in the U.K. and France, Berlin’s senate has enacted a nightlife curfew. Effective October 10th-31st, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other businesses will be forced to close between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Authorities announced the guidance after COVID-19 cases spiked in parts of the German capital. Restrictions announced on September 29th forbid outdoor gatherings of over 50 (25 for indoor gatherings) as long as cases remained over 35 per 100,000 residents. In four of the city’s districts, however, they have exceeded 50 per 100,000 residents for seven consecutive days.
The Berlin senate’s announcement ironically coincides with the city’s first-ever TAG DER CLUBKULTUR (“day of club culture” in English). As part of the citywide celebration, 40 different clubs hosted events in addition to receiving awards of €10,000 apiece.
“I fear that [Berlin] is on the edge of losing control,” said Bavaria’s Minister President Markus Söder in a state cabinet meeting. “We definitely do not want to have a situation like in Madrid, we do not want a situation like in Paris, where there has to be a complete lockdown, where public life has to be reset to zero.”
Indoor gatherings of up to 10 people will still be allowed during hours when curfew isn’t in effect. Meeting in public parks at nighttime will be prohibited, however.
