Erding - The rigid pandemic plans of the Bavarian state government criticized the Therme Erding.
Authorized signatory Marcus Maier reports that many regular guests hesitate to visit.
Erding - First the good news: The Erding thermal baths are fully occupied every day during the summer holidays, of course only during the maximum allowed capacity of 50 percent of the otherwise usual capacity during pandemic times. The bad news: in some neighboring countries, almost all bathroom restrictions have long since fallen. Thermen authorized signatory Marcus Maier criticizes the government’s rigid stance, which is “massively damaging” not only the pool, but the entire regional economy. His accusation: "The state treats us unfairly."
In fine weather, the Erding thermal baths are currently allowed 1850 guests into the textile area, in bad weather 1450. In the sauna, the upper limit is 850 or 650 guests. According to Maier, the seats are in great demand. “We have been fully booked every day since the beginning of the summer holidays.” Guests should register online beforehand so that they don't go to Erding for free. However, the managing director points out that if the weather forecast is favorable for the weekend on Thursday and Friday, additional contingents will be activated. According to him, the hotel and guest house are also "fully booked" until the end of August.
After all: "Although we are only allowed to let in about half of the pre-Corona level, we can at least work economically during the holidays." However, a maximum of one black zero is possible.
"We are currently unable to create reserves for future investments."
Maier worries after the holidays when booking slots remain unused.
“We then threaten to slide back into the red.” What annoys him: It doesn't have to be.
He looks to Austria, but also to Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. "Up to an incidence of 35 there are almost no restrictions there." Weddings and infusions in the saunas are also allowed. But not in Erding. "Bavaria is rigidly adhering to its regulation from the time after the first lockdown, when no one was vaccinated against Corona," says Maier. One is able to open these areas only for vaccinated, tested and convalescent people. In this context, Maier recalls the concurring statement by the virologists that at temperatures above 60/70 degrees there is no longer any danger from the corona virus. "There is still no evidence of infection after a visit to the thermal baths."
He can already feel the consequences of the restrictive stance: "We keep hearing from regular guests, including those from Austria, that they don't want to come back until we have infusions and waving again." This is particularly costly to customers in the border area.
1500 additional would be in it per day.
“And our suppliers, as well as the hotel and catering industry, are also suffering from this,” says Maier.
And thermal bath guests would often travel long distances, which is why the unequal treatment is clearly noticeable.
He has turned - once again - to Health Minister Klaus Holetschek - so far without any response.
"We learn again that the pools obviously play no role in the tourism region of Bavaria." He sees "zero flexibility".
Prime Minister Markus Söder always speaks of more normality - especially for those who have been vaccinated.
It is also bad for business that the renovation of the core thermal baths and the vitality oasis from the opening year 1999 is taking longer than planned.
Originally, owner Jörg Wund wanted to reopen this area at the end of August.
But now the thermal bath is overtaken by the fate of many builders and renovators: material and labor are scarce.
“That is why the renovation will probably take until the middle / end of September,” regrets Maier.
After all, parts of the large glass dome have already been replaced.
The new ventilation system was flown in spectacularly by helicopter these days.
The fact that the work could only begin in April - the second lockdown began as early as November 2020, as is well known - is justified by technology boss Marco Neueder with the palm trees that would have perished in the cool spring weather.