Against the backdrop of falling infection figures and declining hospital occupancy by people infected with Corona, the Berlin Senate is relaxing current regulations.

On Friday, March 4, both the contact restrictions at meetings of vaccinated and recovered people and the previously applicable upper limits at large events outdoors or indoors have fallen.

Outdoors, a maximum of 25,000 people will again be allowed to attend large events, and no more than 75 percent of the venues' capacity may be used. This applies to soccer stadiums, for example. The 2G-plus rule applies: vaccinated and recovered persons must also present a negative test result - except for boostered persons. In addition, the wearing of an FFP2 mask is mandatory. No more than 60 percent of capacity may be used indoors. There is no absolute upper limit indoors.

For events with 11 to 2000 people indoors, the 3G rule applies and FFP2 masks are also mandatory - just like for outdoor events with 1001 to 2000 people.

The rules for restaurants and hotels will also be relaxed: 3G will apply here in the future, and unvaccinated people will then also be allowed to be received there again, as long as they can show a daily negative test.

The 3G rule also applies in educational institutions such as adult education centers, music schools, driving schools and flight schools, as well as in the area of body-related services - i.e. hair salons, beauty salons, massage practices. The same applies to fitness studios dance studios or training in sports halls, just as in indoor swimming pools, saunas and spas.

Likewise, Berlin's clubs are allowed to reopen. Unlike in the restaurant business, however, the 2G-plus rule still applies there. As a result, only vaccinated and recovered persons have access. In addition, a daily negative coronary test is required - even for people with triple vaccination protection.

By relaxing the contact restrictions, private meetings of vaccinated and recovered people are now possible again without any restriction on the number of people. However, if someone who is not vaccinated or recovered attends, a restriction of one household and up to two people from another will apply as before.

Berlin's governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) justified the steps with a "clearly" easing Corona situation in the capital. The hospitalization rate of people suffering from Corona is around 16 percent, and twelve percent of all beds in intensive care units are occupied by people infected with Corona.

Also positive from Giffey's point of view: 58.1 percent of all Berliners are now boosted. "The situation allows significantly more steps towards normality," Giffey explained, referring to the "very short-term duration" of the rules adopted on Tuesday.

According to a phased model adopted by the Conference of Minister Presidents, they will apply until March 19. After that - as of now - the vast majority of everyday restrictions are to fall.

Image by Gerd Altmann