Germany opens up. Corona protective measures will be relaxed in public life on March 4th. Clubs and discotheques will then be able to receive partying guests again and there will also be significant changes for the unvaccinated.
The Corona situation is easing and Germany is loosening up as planned: in the future, among other things, disco evenings without a mask and visits to restaurants for the unvaccinated will be possible again. An important change is also waiting for the students after the end of the holidays.
The new regulations only have a limited shelf life: They expire on March 19th. Because only up to this point in time does the Infection Protection Act allow the previous corona restrictions. The federal and state governments agree in principle that there should continue to be a certain basic protection from March 20th. However, there is still no agreement on its exact form.
The big overview: What is changing in the federal states
In many federal states, bars and clubs will reopen on March 4th.
Baden-Württemberg: The state has already implemented all loosening. 3G applies for the most part, clubs are open (2G Plus). Events with more visitors will be possible again in the future. In the future, up to 6,000 visitors may take place in closed rooms, but no more than 60 percent of their capacity may be used.
Outdoors, 75 percent capacity utilization applies with a maximum number of 25,000 visitors. From March 20th at the latest, only the mask requirement inside remains.
Bavaria: Bavaria opens bars and discotheques on March 4th. In addition, 3G will apply from Friday in the catering trade, in the swimming pool and in the fitness studio. Even in zoos, cinemas and theaters, only unvaccinated people need a test. For those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, there is a corresponding obligation to provide proof. A mask must be worn indoors.
Berlin: The same applies in Berlin from March 4th: Clubs and discotheques open in compliance with the 2G Plus rule. 3G will then apply in gastronomy.
Brandenburg: Brandenburg will introduce the 3G rule on March 4th. 2G Plus applies in clubs and discos. In addition, the mask requirement indoors remains in place.
Bremen: In Bremen, too, all discotheques and clubs will open from March 4th.
Hamburg: In Hamburg, the 2G-plus access model is to be replaced by an FFP2 mask requirement for people aged 14 and over. The FFP2 mask requirement is to apply from March 4th in closed rooms of public facilities, to which only vaccinated and recovered people with an additional test or booster vaccination have had access so far.
In retail, however, a medical mask is sufficient in shops for daily needs such as supermarkets, pharmacies or petrol stations. In restaurants and accommodation establishments, for body-related services and for sports in closed rooms, the 3G access model should apply in addition to the FFP2 mask requirement – i.e. access only for vaccinated, recovered or tested people.
However, the masks could be removed at restaurant tables and when exercising. In addition, bar tables will be permitted again in gastronomy from March 4th. From then on, it should also be possible to dance in music clubs and discotheques without a mask. The 2G plus model will apply there until the planned expiry of all corona measures on March 20.
In restaurants, the 3G rule will apply instead of the 2G rule from March 4th.
Hesse: From March 4th, a maximum number of spectators of 25,000 applies to outdoor events, from the 500th place the occupancy rate may not exceed 75 percent. Indoors, the maximum number of spectators is 6,000, from the 500th seat the occupancy rate may be a maximum of 60 percent. If there are more than ten people, the 3G rule (vaccinated/recovered/tested) applies indoors and outdoors, and if there are more than 500 people, the 2G-Plus rule applies. Then only those who have been boosted are allowed in without an additional test. Bars and clubs have to implement 2G-Plus, 3G applies in gastronomy.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: According to the decision, the 3G rule will apply to gastronomy and hotels from March 4th. In addition to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, those who have not been vaccinated with a negative corona test will also have access. From the beginning of March, more guests should be admitted to major events, and clubs and discos should be allowed to open again.
Lower Saxony: Those who have not been vaccinated should be able to go back to a restaurant or to events with a maximum of 2000 people with a negative test. From March 4th, overnight stays in a hotel will also be possible again for people who have not been vaccinated. Clubs and discotheques should then be allowed to reopen after months of closure. However, an FFP2 mask must be worn here if you are not sitting.
North Rhine-Westphalia: There are also signs of opening in North Rhine-Westphalia. Clubs and discotheques will open on March 4th in compliance with 2G Plus. In public life, 3G will then apply for the most part. Exceptions apply to retail. There are no admission restrictions here. Then only the mask requirement applies.
Rhineland-Palatinate: Clubs and discotheques open from March 4th under 2G Plus conditions. In the catering and hotel industry, 3G will then apply – access for those who have recovered, those who have been vaccinated or those who have been tested. Football games and other major events then take place with significantly more spectators.
Numerous clubs are preparing for the reopening. So also the club "Rudas Studios" in Dusseldorf.
Saarland: In an opening step from March 4th, the access restriction according to the 2G-Plus rule, according to which only guests with booster vaccinations and those who have recovered and vaccinated with a test are allowed to enter, will no longer apply in the catering trade. The change also applies to hotels and body-related services. And: The previously closed discotheques and clubs in Saarland will then open with 2G Plus.
Saxony: From March 4th, contact recording will only apply in health and social care institutions. The mask requirement remains. If bars do not have "entertainment components" such as a dance floor, DJ, band or karaoke, they are allowed to open and are therefore treated on an equal footing with gastronomy. The 3G rule applies in both areas. In clubs and discotheques, those who have recovered and those who have been vaccinated need an additional test (2G-plus), but do not have to wear a mask and keep their distance.
Saxony-Anhalt: The 3G rule is to apply again from March 4th in the catering and hotel industry as well as in organized sports. In addition, an increase in capacity for major events and an opening of discotheques and clubs are to be introduced under the 2G plus model.
Schleswig-Holstein: It is still unclear what should apply in Schleswig-Holstein. The first party dates for March 4th and 5th have already been set. In principle, Schleswig-Holstein will also adhere to the federal and state resolutions. This means that 3G will apply in public life and 2G Plus in discotheques.
Thuringia: Less strict rules apply in Thuringia with immediate effect. Folk festivals and spring markets are now possible again, festivals can take place under certain conditions.
The 3G rule now applies in bars. This means that only vaccinated and recovered people and those who can show a negative corona test are allowed access. 2G applies in amusement parks or indoor playgrounds – only those who have been vaccinated or have recovered can enter. In clubs, discotheques, brothels or swingers clubs only vaccinated and recovered people come in who can also show a negative test or whose immunization was not long ago.
Deadlines at 3G
The 3G rule also brings the validity of the evidence into focus.
Anyone who has recovered loses their immune status in Germany six months or 180 days after the positive test result.
Those who are basic immunized, i.e. have only received two vaccinations, lose their status after nine months (270 days).
People who have been boosted (i.e. with a third vaccination) are currently considered "boostered" indefinitely.
You can see when your status expires using our calculator, which you can find here:
When does my vaccination expire? Calculate here
Use this calculator to determine when your corona vaccination will expire.
Date of second vaccination:
I already have a booster vaccination.
These rules will remain in effect until March 20th
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is also promoting more extensive regulations in corona hotspots with particularly high levels of infection. However, there is still no agreement, also because the FDP, for example, insists on a greatly reduced catalog of measures.
On March 16, the Bundestag wants to discuss the new law for the first time, two days later it could then be decided there and at a special session of the Bundesrat. There is no time leeway, because the previous measures expire the day after.
It is possible that the mask requirement will remain in place indoors – especially on buses and trains. In addition, distance requirements, general hygiene requirements and possible other test obligations should be issued. The latter are being discussed in particular for old people's and nursing homes.
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