Restrictions on clubbing are to begin being loosed in Berlin from this Friday (June 18).

From that date, outdoor dance events of up to 250 people will be permitted, but partygoers must present a recent negative COVID-19 test and wear FFP2-masks when not seated. Contact restrictions, which stipulate that only up to ten people from five different households can attend an event together, will remain in place.

In neighbouring Brandenburg, outdoor dance events of up to 1,000 people are now permitted without restrictions, as announced yesterday (June 15) by the federal state's leader Dietmar Woidke. Indoor events in the state will only be allowed to go ahead if all attendees wear masks, and a rule of "no more than one guest per ten square meters" will be in place.

Berlin is currently emerging from an extended COVID-19 lockdown, and has recorded a seven-day infection rate of 12.2 cases per 100,000 as of today (June 16), down on the previous day's rate of 13.6.

In addition to restrictions begin loosened on outdoor clubbing events, Berlin authorities are also relaxing rules such as mask wearing in busy outdoor areas and allowing indoor events with up to 250 people (with a negative COVID-19 test), as well as ending the ban on alcohol sales in pubs and restaurants that has been in place from 12am until 5am.