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If everything is quiet, but someone is awake - then this may be the Berlin Volksbühne these days.
When night has settled over Germany's capital, it shines brightly on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, and some strollers may have these thoughts: There was something there, there is still someone, there is social life, culture, art, which are particularly missing now.
New measures by the federal government have been taking effect since the beginning of November - a lot in Germany has come to a standstill again.
Photo: bildgehege / imago images / Bildgehege
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Even in broad daylight, even on the spot of the most famous sight that Germany has to offer: the almost total emptiness.
Only members of two households are allowed to meet in public this November - a maximum of ten people.
In addition, people are encouraged to reduce contacts beyond their own household to an absolutely necessary minimum.
Photo: Maja Hitij / Getty Images
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The "shutdown light", as it is often called because we are still doing better than the French, for example, should hit parts of the economy hard - including possibly the gastronomy in Berlin's Nikolaiviertel.
Even if there is financial compensation for companies and schools and daycare centers remain open.
Which at least allows many parents to continue working.
Photo: Reiner Zensen / imago images / Reiner Zensen
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In Düsseldorf, signs like this remind people of one rule: wearing a mask is compulsory from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Shopping is still possible, while most of the leisure activities are closed until at least the end of the month, swimming pools and gyms for example.
Photo: Olaf Döring / imago images / Olaf Döring
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Or go out to eat, that's almost impossible in Germany right now.
Restaurants like this one in Bonn are closed - and now that it's getting more uncomfortable outside, you have to think about it: do we really get something to go, or do we just stay at home?
Photo: Ute Grabowsky / photothek.net / imago images / photothek
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And this decision is made in some places: The mask is now also worn outside.
Photo: Maja Hitij / Getty Images
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And in Cologne?
These two are busy driving bicycle trailers through the city with warning messages.
But who is there to pay attention to them anyway?
Photo: Oliver Berg / dpa
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And if you are now wondering where all the vacationers have gone, then we can tell you: They have left the seaside resort of Lubmin in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The last overnight guests had to leave on November 5th.
Photo: Jens Büttner / dpa
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In many places, like here in Leipzig, queues are now forming again.
A peaceful, consensual wait on ever colder days.
A common miss - and looking forward to the time when you can just enter the drugstore without a pandemic, without a mask, without the risk of infection.
Photo: Sebastian Willnow / picture alliance / dpa
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You also have to queue for the Last Supper in Cologne Cathedral.
After all: Church services are still allowed - but of course the AHA rules also apply here.
Photo: Oliver Berg / dpa
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And because even in this "easy shutdown" there are unfortunately people who simply do not want to make it: stick to the rules, think along, help out - as here in Dortmund, federal police officers are out to check.
Photo: Bernd Thissen / dpa
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Throughout Germany, thousands of officials, mobilized by the Ministry of the Interior, at airports, at the national borders, but also on trains and in public places, are supposed to enforce compliance with the new protective measures.
Here: Wolfsburg.
Photo: Jan Huebner / Taeger / imago images / Jan Huebner
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Shopping in Duisburg's pedestrian zone.
It is now a completely normal image that people wear masks, even outside.
Photo: Rupert Oberhäuser / picture alliance / Rupert Oberhäuser
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Are you dreaming ... or is this just a "shutdown light" day in Frankfurt, interrupted by a few soap bubbles that distract from reality for a brief moment?
Photo: Hannelore Foerster / imago images / Hannelore Förster
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There's not much going on at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich either.
Photo: Sven Hoppe / dpa
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Back in Berlin.
It's getting dark faster these days, but something is also lit up, for example these boxes in front of the Yorck cinema.
At the back, on the facade, is written: "Without art and culture, it will be quiet."
Photo:
Bildgehege / imago images / Bildgehege