Bavaria to lift some COVID restrictions

The southern German state of Bavaria has decided to ease some restrictions designed to limit the spread of coronavirus. In future, up to 10.000 people will be allowed to attend large events like football matches, while cultural venues like cinemas and theatres can operate at a higher capacity. 

Bavaria goes own way and eases coronavirus measures

After Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of the other federal states in Germany failed to reach an agreement on a concrete reopening strategy at the COVID summit on Monday, Bavaria has decided to go its own way and lift some restrictions. 

The first major change is that the ban on spectators at large events  - which was agreed upon at the COVID summit before Christmas, although not implemented by all of the states - will be lifted on Thursday. However, the maximum number of spectators will be capped at 10.000, and 2G plus rules and fixed seating will be in place. There will also be a ban on alcohol. 

Cinemas, theatres and other similar cultural venues will be allowed to increase their occupancy rate to 50 percent capacity, up from 25 percent. 2G plus rules will remain in place for cultural venues, while hospitality will still have 2G rules. The state of Bavaria previously dismissed the 2G rules in shops, after a court ruled that the regulation wasn’t clear enough. 

Unvaccinated as well as vaccinated children will be allowed to attend youth services, while 3G rules will apply to (extracurricular) exams and classes, and theory and practical lessons for those learning to drive. 

Current rules have been “adjusted and simplified”

The head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, Florian Hermann, said that the change in rules was a “moderate increase that can well be justified.” 

Writing on Twitter, state premier Markus Söder said that the changes were designed to “adjust and simplify” the current rules. “But protection remains high with 2G plus and FFP2 masks,” he added. “Pupils can also make use of all the offers of youth work again thanks to regular school tests, because social participation is important.”