From the DW:
“Coronavirus digest:
Unvaccinated banned from some German Christmas markets”
For the first time in two years,
Germans will hit the Christmas markets on Wednesday, but millions will have to
sit this one out due to a number of cities demanding proof of vaccination if
people want to enjoy the festivities to the full. With Germany recording its
highest ever daily caseload on Wednesday, the markets, suspended last year due
to the pandemic, must now comply with strict safety rules that vary from state
to state, with some not accepting a negative COVID test for entrance. Hamburg
is among the most prominent to demand visitors demonstrate proof of vaccination
against COVID-19, or provide evidence they have recently recovered from the
virus, if they wish to enjoy a mulled wine, a hot chocolate or some gingerbread
under festive lights in the city's main square. Unvaccinated revelers will still be able to
peruse the bottle-green stalls selling handicrafts or jewelry, listen to
carols, ride on the merry-go-round or admire the nativity scenes.
Germany has one of the lowest
vaccination rates in western Europe, with just 67% of the population fully
vaccinated, and is currently reporting record caseloads as Europe's largest
economy battles a fourth wave of infections. Some are even questioning the
wisdom of having any markets at all as intensive care units fill up once more
with COVID patients. Munich's Christkindlmarkt has become the biggest market to
be canceled so far. "The dramatic situation in our clinics and the
exponentially rising infection numbers leave me no choice," Munich Mayor
Dieter Reiter (SDP) told Bavarian radio. Also on Wednesday, Germany recorded
its highest caseload since the onset of the pandemic The Robert Koch Institute
of infectious diseases (RKI) registered 52,826 positive tests in its daily
update, while 294 people died in connection with the virus. The seven-day
incidence rate in Germany now stands at 319.5 cases per 100,000 people,
according to the RKI statistics, which is also the highest it has been since
the pandemic began.
^ I’m glad to see the German
Christmas Markets (well some of them) returning - even if only for the vaccinated. ^
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