Christmas markets in Bavaria before the cancellation? Showmen fear: "Fear tightens your stomach"

Actually, Christmas markets should be able to take place this year, but now the corona numbers are exploding in Bavaria.

How are the cities reacting to this?

Munich - Actually, the state government around Markus Söder * had given the green light for the Christmas markets.

But now the Corona * numbers are increasing dramatically.

Bavaria has even declared a catastrophe. * Cancellation of the Christmas markets would hit the stalls seriously.

Corona situation in Bavaria is worsening - Big cities are currently holding on to Christmas markets

In some places there are the first cancellations, but larger cities are currently holding onto their Christmas markets.

"The preparations are under way, we are prepared for everything," said Nuremberg economics officer Michael Fraas, who is responsible for the city's famous Christkindlesmarkt.

Planning is also under way in Munich, Augsburg, Regensburg and Passau.

It is still uncertain whether the Christmas market will take place in Bad Tölz.

(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all the important stories from the Free State. Register here.)

Christmas markets in Bavaria before the cancellation?

Showmen fear: "Fear tightens your stomach"

"If the markets were canceled, there would be showmen dying," said Lorenz Kalb, chairman of the South German Showmen Association.

“Fear tightens your stomach.” The showmen have had virtually no income since Christmas 2019.

Of course there would have been one or the other alternative format, says Kalb.

“The famous drop in the ocean.”

So far, there have been cancellations, especially in smaller towns, for example in Simbach, Bad Füssing, Kempten or Rosenheim.

All markets around the Tegernsee in the district of Miesbach * as well as in all 14 communities in the Central Franconian district of Fürth have meanwhile been canceled.

Because of the corona crisis: Bavaria is calling for another disaster

Christmas markets despite Corona?

"We have done everything that can be done"

"We have prepared ourselves, have motivated our employees to be vaccinated, have taken precautions and written hygiene concepts - we have done everything that can be done," said showman representative Kalb. In Nuremberg, for example, the necessary measures had long been worked out together with the city.

In the city with the famous Christkindlesmarkt, as in other large cities in Bavaria, the plans are currently being held. The city has developed a decentralized concept, the stalls should be in several places in the city center. According to the business consultant Fraas, there is a “tiered concept” - depending on the Corona situation and requirements, the market can therefore be adjusted. An example: Mulled wine stands could possibly be placed in separate areas with access control.

The city of Augsburg also has similar “escalation levels” for different corona situations in the drawer for the market in the city.

Information on the exact concepts is to be provided in Nuremberg and Augsburg on Monday.

Soon 2G in Munich's gastro - what applies to Christmas markets?

In Munich, too, a store concept is still being planned with a long distance. On Thursday, Mayor Dieter Reiter announced that he would order “2G” in catering areas - that is, access only for vaccinated and convalescent people. * In addition, there should be a general FFP2 mask requirement * in the entire market area at Marienplatz. The preparations were based on the assumption that the situation would not get worse. Otherwise you have to reserve the right to make a new decision. “I can't give any guarantees,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the city of Passau announced with a view to the local market that it was certain that the implementation would only be possible with a maximum number of visitors. In Regensburg, the municipal Christmas market on Neupfarrplatz is to be expanded to other locations in order to allow sufficient distance.

Corona: the fairground trade is hoping for Christmas business

The Christmas markets are the most important building block in a showman's season.

"Now are the weeks that are crucial for him, where he can generate income and employ his employees," said Kalb from the showmen's association.

Comparable to a hamster, it would “fill the cheeks” during the Christmas season in order to survive January, February and March.

Ironically after this winter break, the corona crisis hit the showmen at the beginning of 2020.

Kalb said it would simply be incomprehensible if, of all things, the already troubled showman trade were now used as an exemplary measure and at the same time football stadiums, clubs and discos, restaurants and retail continued to run normally.

He also emphasized that cancellations would affect the entire city center in addition to the showmen, including suppliers, butchers, bakers, taxi drivers and hoteliers.