Cologne’s Lord Mayor Henriette Reker opens the carnival for vaccinated and convalescent people despite Corona. Can it work? A conversation about celebrating in times of the pandemic and how to enforce the 2G rule.
from
Christian Wernicke, Düsseldorf
The corona numbers are exploding, the virus is rampaging. Also in Cologne, the carnival stronghold. On Wednesday even Cologne’s carnival prince was tested positive, all appearances of the triumvirate have been canceled. Mayor Henriette Reker has decreed that the 2-G rule applies to the opening of the session on Thursday: In pubs or the restricted areas of hotspots on Heumarkt or in the student district, only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered are allowed to celebrate. Nevertheless, critics fear: Anyone who swayed today will be in bed tomorrow – and maybe soon in the intensive care unit.