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dpa
Berlin
Are Germany’s Christmas markets at risk of being forced to close for a second year running due to the coronavirus pandemic? Surging case counts are raising questions about the wisdom of allowing them once again.
The markets are a huge part of Germany’s festive season. Every year parts of town and city centres are transformed by the appearance of wooden huts selling Christmas decorations, fancy foods and mulled wine. They also draw in tourists and shoppers, making them a key part of the winter economy.
The pandemic resulted in their cancellation last year. This year they have been given the go-ahead. But, with infection rates surging, last-minute questions are now being asked about whether they can actually be allowed.
Michael Kretschmer, premier of the state of Saxony, has called for the cancellation of Christmas markets in view of the drastic increase in infections.
“You can’t imagine standing at the Christmas market, drinking mulled wine, and in the hospitals everything is stretched to the limit,” he said in comments to broadcaster RTL/ntv.
He said federal and state governments must take the decision and not leave it up to local politicians and market operators.
Construction of about 3,000 traditional Christmas markets is currently under way across the country. The stallholders - mostly family-run businesses - have set up, bought goods, hired staff and paid stall rents.
“It is unbearable to take the rap for failures of the summer for the second winter in a row,” said Albert Ritter of the German Showmen’s Association (DSB) on Thursday.
Ritter believes cancellation would be unfair to his members, and is urging the authorities to stop short of the most drastic step.”At most,” he said, “you could exclude the unvaccinated from the Christmas markets.”
Ritter stressed that the markets could not be compared to indoor events and dismissed doubts as to whether social-distancing rules could be observed where alcohol is consumed.
“Christmas markets are part of the tradition, they are about a cultivated togetherness.” The association that represents local authorities in Germany is in favour of access restrictions, such as limiting entry to people who have been fully vaccinated, or have recovered from the disease.
A Yougov survey commissioned by dpa at the beginning of November showed that adults in Germany are divided about which Covid rules are appropriate for Christmas markets. Only 8 percent believed they should be cancelled altogether.
In contrast, 71 per cent of those asked said they “definitely” or “probably” wanted to go to a Christmas market this year.
The Christmas market season starts particularly early in some places this year, as city authorities seek to give stallholders a chance to make up a little in terms of sales and profit after last year’s losses.
Berlin
Are Germany’s Christmas markets at risk of being forced to close for a second year running due to the coronavirus pandemic? Surging case counts are raising questions about the wisdom of allowing them once again.
The markets are a huge part of Germany’s festive season. Every year parts of town and city centres are transformed by the appearance of wooden huts selling Christmas decorations, fancy foods and mulled wine. They also draw in tourists and shoppers, making them a key part of the winter economy.
The pandemic resulted in their cancellation last year. This year they have been given the go-ahead. But, with infection rates surging, last-minute questions are now being asked about whether they can actually be allowed.
Michael Kretschmer, premier of the state of Saxony, has called for the cancellation of Christmas markets in view of the drastic increase in infections.
“You can’t imagine standing at the Christmas market, drinking mulled wine, and in the hospitals everything is stretched to the limit,” he said in comments to broadcaster RTL/ntv.
He said federal and state governments must take the decision and not leave it up to local politicians and market operators.
Construction of about 3,000 traditional Christmas markets is currently under way across the country. The stallholders - mostly family-run businesses - have set up, bought goods, hired staff and paid stall rents.
“It is unbearable to take the rap for failures of the summer for the second winter in a row,” said Albert Ritter of the German Showmen’s Association (DSB) on Thursday.
Ritter believes cancellation would be unfair to his members, and is urging the authorities to stop short of the most drastic step.”At most,” he said, “you could exclude the unvaccinated from the Christmas markets.”
Ritter stressed that the markets could not be compared to indoor events and dismissed doubts as to whether social-distancing rules could be observed where alcohol is consumed.
“Christmas markets are part of the tradition, they are about a cultivated togetherness.” The association that represents local authorities in Germany is in favour of access restrictions, such as limiting entry to people who have been fully vaccinated, or have recovered from the disease.
A Yougov survey commissioned by dpa at the beginning of November showed that adults in Germany are divided about which Covid rules are appropriate for Christmas markets. Only 8 percent believed they should be cancelled altogether.
In contrast, 71 per cent of those asked said they “definitely” or “probably” wanted to go to a Christmas market this year.
The Christmas market season starts particularly early in some places this year, as city authorities seek to give stallholders a chance to make up a little in terms of sales and profit after last year’s losses.
