(Credit: dpa)

The Senate of Berlin has announced new measures in order to stem the exponential spread of new and highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants in the capital of Germany.

Per the decision, theaters, concert venues, and opera houses will remain closed until April 18, 2021. Thus, the Senate has opted to align its decision with the latest extension of the lockdown by the German federal government.

Public events indoors may take place until April 18, 2021, with no more than 20 people. For events with more than five people, everyone involved must have a current negative COVID-19 test.

The Staatsoper Berlin and Komische Oper Berlin have already canceled all performances until May 1, 2021. The Senate of Berlin announced the Testing Pilot Project on March 11 in an attempt to safely reopen the cultural sector in Berlin. However, the project was subsequently suspended due to the extended lockdown in Germany.

The Robert Koch Institute has announced that the current 7-day infection incidence in Berlin stands at 124.4.