In order to slow the wave of coronavirus infections caused by Omicron variants, Germans in most parts of the country are facing tightening regulations on private and public spaces.
Starting from Monday, the scale of indoor and outdoor gatherings will be restricted. Leisure facilities-from gyms to swimming pools, nightclubs to movie theaters-are closed in several states, and restaurants are facing earlier closing times.
The New Year’s fireworks display, usually held by private families on most streets in Germany, has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
Stricter protection measures will apply to people who have not been vaccinated so far, or people who cannot do so for medical reasons, but people who have been vaccinated and recovered from Covid-19 will also face new challenges.
For those who have been vaccinated or recovered, private gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people in areas where the rule has not been introduced on Christmas Eve. For those who have not been vaccinated, each family allows up to two other outsiders to gather together. Children under the age of 14 are excluded from the quota.
The requirement to wear medical masks, which was introduced about a year ago, still exists in shops and public transportation, and in places where only vaccinated people can enter, a vaccine certificate is also required.
Policymakers say the plan is to curb the spread of the more contagious variant of Omicron and use the time gained from slowing it to provide boosters to as many Germans as possible.
So far, less than 71% of Germans have received two doses of the vaccine, and less than 36% have received a booster shot.
Before Christmas, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Olaf Scholz (Olaf Scholz) set a goal of providing vaccines to 80% of the population by January 7. But the government admitted on Monday that it was behind schedule and must extend the deadline to the end of January.