The sex business is one of the last areas banned in the corona pandemic. With existential consequences for prostitutes and brothels. In some federal states, sex work will soon be allowed again – subject to certain conditions.
Brothels are allowed to reopen in some parts of northern Germany. The northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bremen agreed today to lift the ban on sex work from September 15. However, subject to certain conditions: mouth and nose must be covered during work, appointments must be set in writing and the customer’s contact details must be recorded. In addition, there must be no alcohol with sex. Prostitution remains prohibited in vehicles or at events.
The professional association for erotic and sexual services has long been criticizing the professional ban for the industry. Sex workers would be driven into illegality. They were on their own and would take greater health risks at work. The association spoke of the “bleeding out of an entire industry” that threatened employees and companies in their very existence. Only last week one of the largest brothels in Europe, the “Pascha” in Cologne, filed for bankruptcy.
Courts overturn prostitution ban
The prohibition of sex work also no longer existed in court. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the Münster Higher Administrative Court overturned the state’s ban on prostitution and declared that it was no longer proportionate in view of the opening of fitness studios or the right to private parties. Sex workers in NRW are allowed to work again with immediate effect. Last week, the Magdeburg Higher Administrative Court lifted the ban on sex work in Saxony-Anhalt.
Editor’s note: In an earlier version it was said that brothels are also reopening in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – that’s not true.
