Due to the corona pandemic and in order to slow down the spread of the virus, the Bavarian Government has subsequently decided upon a number of measures:
Restrictions of free movement and contact
The rules on general contact restriction will be extended from 17 June 2020. In the future, it will be permitted to stay in public spaces within the family and with members of one’s own and another household or in a group of up to ten people. Until now, people were only allowed to meet in public spaces with people from their own household, family members or people from another household.
In the case of private meetings at home, there is no limitation to a fixed group of people or a numerical limitation; instead, the number of persons should be limited there, taking into account the general principles (minimum distance).
The distance requirement of 1.5 metres and the obligation to wear masks in certain public areas remain unchanged.
Sufficient ventilation should be provided in closed rooms.
Trade and service companies
Since 11 May 2020, the opening of all trade and service businesses (wholesale and retail customer traffic) have been permitted under certain conditions (e.g. masking requirement). The previous restriction to a sales area of 800 sqm was lifted.
The operator must ensure that a minimum distance of 1.5 m between customers can be maintained and that the number of customers present in the shop at the same time does not exceed one customer per 10 m² sales area (from 22 June 2020). The operator must draw up a protection, hygiene and parking concept.
Shopping centres and weekly markets can also reopen under special conditions.
Gastronomy, hotel business, tourism, leisure facilities
A gradual opening of the gastronomy, hotel and tourism sectors is being sought. Strict conditions apply to all conceivable steps, which in particular include:
- Restriction of opening hours,
- Development of hygiene concepts by the companies,
- Limiting the number of guests,
- Securing of distance (separate entrance/exit, compulsory reservation)
Gastronomy has opened gradually since 18 May 2020, initially outdoors (e.g. beer gardens), and indoors since 25 May 2020.
Since Whitsun weekend (30 May) hotels (including holiday apartments and camping) and other tourism offers, e.g: castles, lake navigation and leisure parks are open again. Strict conditions apply to the opening of hotels, which include in particular
- From 22 June 2020, indoor swimming pools as well as indoor areas of thermal baths and hotel swimming pools, including wellness and sauna facilities, can be reopened.
- Obligatory hygiene protection concept as in the catering trade,
- Catering only with distance and limited admission.
Bavaria will reopen further entrepreneurial areas of the tourism value chain. The decision is subject to the proviso that the development of corona infection continues to be favourable. In line with the possible opening of accommodation facilities on 30 May, outdoor leisure facilities such as amusement parks should also be able to resume operations from this day. Guided tours of the town and its guests, mountain, cultural and nature tours as well as tours of show caves and visitor mines will also be possible. In addition, tourist bus and train services, cable cars and river and lake navigation will be able to start. The objects of the Palace Department will also open their doors again in principle from 30 May. The objects with a large number of visitors, in particular the castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof and the residences in Munich and Würzburg, will be open to visitors again from 2 June.
Since 11 May the following facilities and businesses have reopened:
- Animal parks and botanical gardens with conditions (admission, 20 sqm rule, distance, outdoor facilities only, no gastronomy, no petting zoo)
- Libraries, museums, galleries, exhibitions and memorials with conditions (20 sqm rule, distance, no catering business)
Since 22 June 2020, cultural events in theatres, concert halls, other stages and outdoors, as well as the rehearsals and other preparatory work required for them, are possible under certain conditions (up to 100 guests indoors, up to 200 guests outdoors) and on the basis of the corresponding framework concept of the State Ministries of Science and Art and of Health and Care. The obligation to wear a mask remains unchanged.
In addition, since 15 June 2020, the resumption of cinema operations is possible under certain conditions and on the basis of the framework concept announced by the Ministries of State for Health and Care and Digital.
Playgrounds (not football grounds) have reopened since 6 May.
Sports:
In the field of sport, the resumption of training activities can take place from 22 June 2020. The previous upper limits for outdoor and indoor sports (previously 20 persons) will be abolished. The future limitation of participants for indoor and outdoor areas results from the respective concrete spatial conditions (room size, ventilation).
Indoor swimming pools, thermal baths and hotel swimming pools:
From 22 June 2020, indoor swimming pools as well as indoor areas of thermal baths and hotel swimming pools, including wellness and sauna facilities, can be reopened. The Ministry of Economy, together with the Ministry of Health, will develop and publish appropriate hygiene concepts.
Events and assemblies
Events and assemblies are prohibited nationwide. This also applies to meetings in churches, mosques and synagogues as well as meetings of other religious communities. Exceptional permission can be granted on application by the responsible district administrative authority, as far as this is justifiable in individual cases from the point of view of infection protection law. This applies up to and including 10 May 2020. Major events remain prohibited at least until 31 August 2020.
Assemblies (in accordance with the Bavarian Assembly Act) are permitted since 15 June under the following conditions:
- Maximum number of participants: 100.
- Only outdoors and stationary, with a basic minimum distance of 1.5 m and without distribution of flyers etc.
- Maximum duration: 60 min.
- Maximum one meeting per calendar day with the same organiser or participants.
In the case of open-air meetings, the number of participants should normally be limited to 100 persons since 15 June 2020.
Divine services are permitted since 15 June under the following conditions:
- Maximum number of participants: Outdoors 100. In buildings as many people as there are seats, with a minimum distance of 2 m to other seats
- Basic minimum distance: Outdoors 1.5 m, in buildings (from 22 June 2020): 1,5 m.
- Maximum duration: 60 minutes.
- Obligation to cover the mouth and nose, exception for liturgical speaking and preaching.
- Churches and religious communities draw up infection protection concepts.
Transport / Coach Companies / River cruises
People have to wear a mouth-and-nose cover when using public transport.
From 30 May 2020, the operation of coach companies will be possible again, provided that it does not involve explicit group travel. Only individual bookings may be made.
River cruise ships in Bavaria are allowed to set off again. However, the same regulations apply to them as for “stationary hotels”.
Overnight Accommodation
All accommodation facilities, such as hotels, holiday homes, guest houses and campsites, will be open to holidaymakers again from the Whitsun weekend (30 May 2020), subject to strict compliance with hygiene regulations. The applicable contact restrictions must also be observed for overnight stays: Only guests who are allowed to have contact with each other – such as members of a household or life partners – may occupy an apartment or room. Group overnight stays are currently not possible.
! We highly recommend that you contact your booked accommodation immediately if you are planning a trip to Bavaria.
For the latest developments on restrictions please also check here:
- For daily updates on the Coronavirus please also check the website of the Federal Ministry of Health as well as The Robert Koch Institute(Germany’s public health institute)
- The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) has set up a hotline for questions: +49 9131 6808 5101. The task force can also be reached by e-mail coronavirus@lgl.bayern.de.
Keep well!
