(Credit: © dpa )

The Senate of the City of Berlin has instituted a new decision ordering theaters, opera houses and museums to implement 2G COVID-19 rule for entry. Per the new order, only fully vaccinated and recovered visitors will be able to enter certain facilities.

Besides cultural venues, the rule will also apply for entry to clubs and discotheques, restaurants, all tourist attractions in enclosed spaces, events in closed rooms, recreational facilities such as saunas, thermal baths, and amusement parks, among other locations. The rule has already been or will shortly be implemented by the Bayerische Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, and Staatsoper Hamburg, among others.

The 2G rule was already implemented throughout  Austria on Nov. 8, 2021.

When using the 2G option in the City of Berlin, proof of vaccination or recovery from SARS-CoV-2 must be verified digitally and with a photo ID. The decision means that only the QR codes issued and aligned with the EU Digital COVID Certificate will be recognized. The code must be presented either as a paper certificate or within a CovPass application, and must be scanned for verification.

Germany’s outgoing Health Minister Jens Spahn has suggested that the implementation of the 2G+ rule will be needed throughout the country in order to combat the monster COVID-19 wave. With this rule, fully vaccinated and recovered visitors must also present a negative test.

The country is still in a political limbo after the parliamentary elections held on Sep. 26, 2021. Socialdemocrats, Liberals and Greens will likely form a new German government, and in the meantime Chancellor Angela Merkel is in the position of a caretaker. The Robert Koch Institute issued an urgent warning, calling for the cancellation of big events and reduction of all unnecessary contacts. The RKI said if this can’t be avoided, then regardless of vaccination or recovery status, people should take a test beforehand and use the Corona warning app.

The new order by the Senate will come into effect on Nov. 15, 2021.