Germany has banned unvaccinated attendees from live events as the country attempts to curb the latest wave of coronavirus.
Nightclubs have also been ordered to close in areas where 350 cases per 100,000 people have been recorded in the past week.
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 poses a threat across Europe, Germany has introduced rules which prevent unvaccinated people from attending gigs, cultural venues, cinemas, leisure facilities, restaurants and shops. Those that have recovered from the virus in the last six months will also be included with vaccinated privileges.
The ‘2G’ rule means ‘genesen’ for recovered in the past six months and ‘geimpft’ for vaccinated. It is different to Germany’s ‘3G’ rule, as this also allows testing to be used for entry measures. The ‘2G’ rule is now in place nationwide, and means that in areas where 350 cases have been recorded per 100,000 people in the past seven days, nightclubs must close. The current national rate is over 400 cases per 100,000.
Outdoor events are currently limited to a 50% capacity with a maximum of 15,000 attendees, while indoor events are restricted to a 50% capacity with a maximum of 5,000 attendees.
Masks are mandatory at all events.
Angela Merkel, who has been replaced as Chancellor of Germany by Olaf Scholz today, said that vaccinations could also be made mandatory by February.
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