It is still a long way until September. But the question already arises whether the Oktoberfest 2020 can take place in the face of the corona pandemic. Would an Oktoberfest only be a solution for locals?
- The coronavirus pandemic is causing more and more victims worldwide.
- According to current regulations, the Oktoberfest 2020 would be canceled.
- What are the chances that the world's largest folk festival will take place anyway?
- An important reason speaks against "green light". Everything about Corona in Bavaria.
Update from April 5, 8:57 am: At the moment it is hard to imagine that the Oktoberfest can actually take place this year. Numerous other major events had to be canceled due to the Corona crisis *. Every year, around six million visitors from all over the world come to the 34 hectare festival area for the world's largest folk festival. On busy days, there can be up to 250,000 people. It is not much to keep your distance . In the often overcrowded tents you get close - whether you want to or not. The pathogens are easy.
“Wiesn flu” filled the Munich doctor's offices before Corona
Even at normal times, medical practices in and around Munich register more patients with colds from the middle of the Oktoberfest weekend: the so-called Oktoberfest flu. The consequences of an uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus would be inconceivable.
Many visitors from Corona hotspots Italy and USA
The majority of the guests come from Munich and Bavaria. Most foreign guests came from the countries that are currently worst affected by the corona pandemic : In 2019, the Americans and Italians were the largest visitor group besides the Swiss, followed by the British.
For this reason, voices are now being heard that only require a local Oktoberfest. This would prevent the rush of visitors from many different countries and thus a possible introduction again, so the idea behind it. It also avoids the risk of the virus spreading again all over the world through returnees from the Oktoberfest, the argument goes. Would that be feasible at all? At the moment it is not even clear when Germany and the other countries will open their borders again.
Vote - What do you think of a Oktoberfest only for locals?
Spokesman for the Oktoberfest hosts: "Can't imagine that"
"I can't imagine that emotionally," says Peter Inselkammer, spokesman for the Oktoberfest hosts, about a possible cancellation. “The Oktoberfest is part of the normal annual rhythm. We are all looking forward to it. But we have to wait and see if it is possible. ”And the Munich business consultant and Wiesn boss Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) does not want to give up hope yet:“ Of course, as an organizer of the Oktoberfest together with all our partners, I very much hope that there will be no cancellation must give ".
Out for the Oktoberfest? Decision at the latest possible time
The decision should be made at the latest possible time , it said. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD), who would open the festival, spoke last of "at the latest at the end of May, beginning of June" - before the start of the construction work on the Theresienwiese.
Wiesn-Aus because of Corona? Assessment of Oktoberfest after the Easter holidays
Festival manager Baumgärtner says: “At the moment we are looking forward to the end of the Easter holidays and the possible assessment whether it will be possible to slow the spread of the virus. It is therefore still too early to make a binding assessment today. ”A decision would largely depend on what medical experts advise and what health and safety regulations the federal government and the Free State are enacting. "We will make a responsible decision in close consultation with the Free State, taking into account the current situation," said Reiter recently.
Landlord Inselkammer hopes that the festival can take place - perhaps also as a step back into life after the crisis has been overcome. "That would be an important signal: we want to celebrate again, we want to go out again and enjoy life."
More and more people are to be tested in the corona crisis. But reports of chaos due to the corona tests are piling up - at least in Munich.
Oktoberfest 2020 in Munich because of Corona before the end? There are already rumors
First message from March 25, 2020: Munich - The Oktoberfest shakes . Because of the Corona crisis , a cancellation or a ban on the Oktoberfest is currently the more likely option , according to government circles. A decision had to be made between Easter and the end of May. The city is formally responsible for the Oktoberfest - given the ban on events by the Free State, a festival with hundreds of thousands of guests would also be legally excluded .
Can the Oktoberfest take place? Decision in June at the latest
From town hall circles it also leaks behind the back of your hand that the Oktoberfest is on the brink . Spokesman Peter Inselkammer, however, does not currently think of canceling the Oktoberfest . He says: "I still hope that the situation will relax again by summer." The reservation inquiries were "a bit more reserved than usual, but the preparations are ongoing". At the moment, a definitive rejection is "not yet an issue".
Millions of people flock to the Oktoberfest every year - distance rules are difficult to comply with here.
© Achim Frank Schmidt
The city's business consultant and Oktoberfest chief Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) made a similar statement last week. Mayor Dieter Reiter told us: “A final decision as to whether the Oktoberfest can take place this year must be made at the end of May or the beginning of June at the latest before the start of the construction work. We will make a responsible decision in close coordination with the Free State, taking into account the current situation. "
A meeting between Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and the then elected mayor is expected for April. The situation is very difficult, according to the government. To commit yourself early to a cancellation of the Oktoberfest brings economic clarity . That sends the signal across Europe, however, that drastic restrictions on public life will continue until autumn.
Oktoberfest 2020 despite Corona? This reason speaks against it
All exit restrictions are currently limited to April 19. A decision is not yet necessary at the moment, Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) told our newspaper. Like Reiter, he sees leeway until May, maximum June , when construction begins. "Let's see how we look after Easter," says Herrmann. He does not want to spread great optimism: “We have to see that the Oktoberfest poses a particular risk when it comes to infection. The virus will not be out of the world until September. ”
#Corona # Munich Preparations for #Oktoberfest are "continuing as usual" according to OB #Reiter, cancellation at the earliest June - #Maidult already canceled - "little #Wiesn" # spring festival postponed for now
- Birgit Grundner (@GrundnerBirgit) March 25, 2020State politicians are particularly concerned about the flare-up of infections from the Oktoberfest - Europe-wide, not least, tens of thousands of Italians travel every year. Distance rules would hardly be adhered to at the world's largest folk festival.
In view of corona, capacities in medical facilities are becoming scarce. The priority with which patients should be treated in Germany has now been determined.
The continuing critical situation caused by the corona pandemic is also affecting various folk festivals and markets in Munich. A CSU politician in the Bundestag has now made a clear request to the City of Munich regarding Oktoberfest 2020.
Meanwhile, beer fear is widespread in the country. Because several breweries face financial ruin due to the Corona crisis.
Researchers are puzzled: In China, a man suffered from the coronavirus for 49 days, but showed only mild symptoms - possibly a mutation.
cd / kv / sb / va
* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Andreas Gebert
