From May 18, beer gardens in Bavaria can finally open again. However, this relaxation is subject to strict rules. What is changing now.
The good news first: Beer gardens in Bavaria can finally open again on Monday, May 18. But: There will be numerous strict new rules – mask requirement and distance requirement, instead of casual sociability and traditional cosiness. The new regulations are regulated in a current hygiene concept of the Bavarian government. What beer garden visitors have to prepare for now.
Who can go to the beer garden together?
The rules of contact restrictions apply in the beer garden. Each household can sit at the table with a maximum of one other household. A minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be maintained from other guests. “Basically, everything that is permitted in the public area is also permitted in the company,” says the hygiene concept. There are no legal restrictions on the number of visitors per table.
Do visitors have to wear a mask anywhere in the beer garden?
No, not everywhere. A general mask requirement applies to visitors in all gastronomic outdoor businesses. At the table, however, the masks can be removed. The obligation to wear a mask applies everywhere when you enter the company, away from your own table.
Do I have to make a reservation before visiting?
No, in contrast to other federal states, there is no reservation obligation in Bavaria, so spontaneous visits are possible. However, each visitor group must provide the contact details of a person. The time of the visit is also noted so that any infection chains can be tracked.
What are the opening times now?
According to the Bavarian hygiene concept, the opening times in outdoor operation are initially limited to 8 p.m. The indoor operation, which will be allowed from Monday, May 25, is initially limited to 10 p.m.
Can everyone go to the beer garden?
According to the hygiene concept, people suffering from fever or an acute cough are excluded from beer gardens. It is said literally: “Guests should be advised that if there are symptoms of acute respiratory disease of any severity or fever, entertainment is not possible.”
Are beer gardens now becoming more expensive?
This depends on the individual case, but is possible. The companies incur higher costs due to government regulations. The Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association Dehoga wrote to its members: “But do you also have the courage to include the more costs in your prices – when, if not now?”
Can I trust that my food has been prepared hygienically?
Employees are only allowed to work with food if they have been instructed about the protection against infection. Before companies are allowed to open, they must check their drinking water supply and dispensing systems. Commodities such as menus should be cleaned after every customer contact. Cutlery and dishes must be washed at high temperatures.
Are buffets allowed?
In contrast to other federal states, buffets are not fundamentally prohibited in Bavaria. According to Dehoga, it is conceivable, for example, to have guests served by employees at the open buffet. Self-service, on the other hand, is only permitted for packaged products.
What rules apply in the sanitary area?
Regular cleaning of the guest toilets is stipulated. Companies must ensure that liquid soap, disposable towels and hand disinfectants are available. If necessary, access to the toilets is regulated.
What if visitors don’t abide by the rules?
Dehoga encourages the hosts to actively implement their house rights. The reason: “The better we implement the framework conditions, the more likely it is that we will get additional operational freedom sooner than expected.” Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger appeals: “I ask all guests not to make it so difficult for the restaurateurs.” Christian Wei, spokesman for the city of Wrzburg, looks optimistically towards the opening: “We are now in the process of approving all of this, there is a large influx. I assume that everything will be clear for the time being. We will worry about bug fields if the time has come. “
“I ask all guests not to make it so difficult for the restaurateurs.”
Economy Minister Hubert Aiwanger–
How are the police and administration open?
The police headquarters in Lower Franconia has the beer garden opening on the screen, but sees no focus: “We check here as with all other conditions. The beer gardens are simply another component of the controls,” said spokesman Andreas Laacke.
How are employees protected?
The hygiene concept means that a minimum distance of 1.5 meters should always be possible for employees. The menu should also be coordinated with this. Where this is not possible, a mask must be worn. The contact with customers is made exclusively with a mask.
How do industry representatives rate the new rules?
Dehoga sees the regulation as an “important step towards hope”. According to Dehoga President Angela Inselkammer, it would not be easy for the industry, but at least the restrictions were limited to “factually necessary restrictions that must be virological.” However, the challenge of getting back in the black remains high for many companies.
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