Head To Berlin’s Christmas Markets This Year, With Tighter COVID-19 Entry Rules
Among the beautiful Christmas markets of Europe, those in Berlin tend to stand out and while they weren’t open last year, they are back in 2021. However, keeping up with the festive spirit will also involve stricter entry restrictions in the form of 2G or 3G COVID-19 health passes for entry.
Berlin’s Christmas markets reopen
Last year, the famous Christmas markets of Berlin were postponed due to surges in COVID-19 infections. However, the good news is, the world-renowned markets are back this year, complete with gorgeous light displays, ice skating and carousels. As for the stalls, they will be selling everything you can dream of for Christmas, including festive décor, artisanal goods, hand-painted trinkets and gingerbread men.
However, while the markets are back, Berlin wants to keep its local residents and visitors safe by introducing 2G or 3G COVID-19 health passes for entry. This will allow visitors to prove their COVID-19 status at the gates before going on their festive spending spree or partake of warming mugs of Glühwein.
Entering Germany’s Christmas markets
As reported by Germany’s Tagesspiegel newspaper, the Berlin Senate has stated on Tuesday that Christmas market organizers will be able to apply the so-called 3G or 2G COVID-19 restrictions to patrons this year when they open on November 22.
3G rules mean that anyone over the age of 12 can present proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus, or a recent negative COVID-19 test result to enter the markets. With 2G rules, patrons are able to present either proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from the virus only. In this case, a negative test result is not sufficient for patrons to enter the markets.
According to the Visit Berlin tourism board, some popular markets in Berlin have already confirmed they are applying the 2G rule. These include Rotes Rathaus (Berlin Town Hall), Zitadelle Spandau and Gendarmenmarkt.
As with most European destinations, Christmas markets are a huge deal in Germany. Each winter season, they are a major tourist draw, with around 2,000 markets nationwide, and about 80 markets in Berlin alone. Among the most famous nationwide are the Nuremberg Christmas Market, or the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, in Bavaria, which attracts around two million visitors each year.
2G and 3G COVID Health Pass System in Germany
Naturally, the 2G and 3G COVID health passes don’t just apply to Christmas markets. Several German states are currently operating under the health pass system that categorizes venues such as restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and gyms into 2G or 3G categories. Now markets, including those at Christmas, are also introducing the system.
As with the markets, venues marked as 3G allow vaccinated (geimpft) or recovered (genesen) patrons, or tested (getestet) patrons, who can present a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no later than three days prior to enter. Under this system, patrons are required to wear masks in indoor public spaces and the number of people allowed to enter is limited.
However, venues with a 2G category are open to only vaccinated (geimpft) or recovered (genesen) patrons and they have no capacity limits.
Individual businesses can decide whether they want to categorize as 2G or 3G and not all states follow the model in the same way. For example, in Hesse, the 3G rule is mandatory, while 2G is optional, so always check ahead before planning any activities or trips while visiting Germany.
Have a festive time at Berlin’s Christmas markets this year, buying beautiful and unique gifts for your loved ones, while staying safe during your visit.
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