Handcart, beer and best friends. For many fathers, this is simply a tradition on Ascension Day. But Father's Day this year will look a lot different than usual. In Bavaria, exit restrictions still apply.
Dorfen - It seems clear: Despite the corona restrictions, not all fathers want to do without their Father's Day ritual. "We're going to do this," says a 55-year-old Dorfener father who will be traveling with a number of specialists - and does not want to be named. The Dorfener and seven of his specialists want to do without the handcart. Because roaming through the area like that would be too noticeable - because it is forbidden. The illustrious round of fathers climbs on the bike this year. Disguised as athletes, they want to cycle from beer garden to beer garden at a reasonable distance - and still celebrate together.
But what is actually allowed on Father's Day? Celebrations can be celebrated with family members who live in the same household. There is also no need to keep a safe distance. You can also celebrate with people from another household, but only with a safe distance. Meetings are allowed both outdoors and in the apartment. In addition, it is also allowed to celebrate with several relatives, including from different households, but with a safe distance.
Large group hikes are forbidden without ifs and buts. In Dorfen, the fathers of fistballers and AH footballers practiced this for many years. But neither of the two TSV departments is going on Father's Day tour this year. The reason for this is not just Corona. It's age too. The brave hikers now have more or less big ailments. "I can no longer organize it. I couldn't go because of my knee myself, ”says Ferdinand Stöckl. For 40 years he and the fistballers wandered around the area and spent Father's Day together. This has ended since the 40th hike. It is no different with the AH soccer players. The days of the Father's Day marches are over - the AHers kept going for a whopping 50 years.
One or two brave ex-hikers will probably go to the beer garden tomorrow. Because since Monday beer gardens have been allowed to reopen in Bavaria. The innkeepers are of course hoping for business on Father's Day - the losses in recent weeks have been high. The restaurateurs are also prepared so that nothing gets out of hand. There are 80 to 100 places in the Tonwerk Dorfen, says managing director Tobi Maier. "We already have a lot of reservations, but we can also offer space for spontaneous visitors." However, everything is under strict supervision. “More guests than allowed are not allowed in. Unfortunately, we then have to refer them to the waiting area or send them away again, ”Maier refers to the official requirements. This also means that guests must wear a mask in all areas except at the table - i.e. when entering the beer garden and also when going to the toilet. And the guests must always keep a distance of 1.5 meters from each other - except at the table with people / families who are allowed to deal with each other anyway. The minimum distance of 1.5 meters also applies between waitresses / waiters and guests. And the beer garden operators must also keep a guest list with names, telephone numbers and the period of stay - in order to enable follow-up in the event of an infection. For Father Day expert Stöckl, however, this is nothing. "With the minimum distance there is no cosiness." And he doubts whether all of this works.
The Dorfen police are relaxed about Father's Day. "Thursday is a holiday for us like everyone else," says Inspection Manager Harald Kratzel. "Anyone who walks through the area alone with the handcart is no problem." Walking in groups is not possible. "If we meet someone, we will of course contact the gentlemen and point out the regulations," Kratzel announced. But there are no targeted "Father's Day stripes". The police chief himself also celebrates Father's Day. At home with his son. "It's much nicer there than on the hot asphalt."
