Berlin clubs could reopen for indoor events this weekend for the first time since March 2020.
The city’s Clubcommission, a group that represents the city’s nightlife industry, has said that clubs may be able to fully reopen, but only to those who have received both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccination or who have recently recovered from the virus and therefore have natural antibodies.
The news comes after an administrative court ruling on August 20 that the current coronavirus restrictions in the city — banning indoor dancing — were "disproportionate" against those who have been vaccinated or recently infected. As a result of the ruling, the Senate of Berlin made the decision on August 30 that clubs could fully reopen to those who fall into either category.
Following the ruling, the Clubcommission put in an additional proposal to the Berlin Senate, asking that exceptions be made for those who are not yet fully vaccinated, or have not recently had and recovered from the virus, provided they could show proof of a negative PCR test. This request was, however, denied.
A statement shared this week by the Clubcommission reads: "The Berlin Senate decided today to open the club interiors for recovered and vaccinated people. There is no mask requirement or capacity cap. It will likely go into effect Friday night [September 3]. The proposal of the Clubcommission to offer an option with PCR Tests was unfortunately not approved."
