Police officers stand next to a sign in the fireworks-free zone at Alexanderplatz. (Archive image)
© dpa
At the turn of the year, four pyrotechnics prohibition zones will be in force in Berlin. As was the case last year, a weapons and knife prohibition zone will also be established in Mitte.
On 23 December, the Berlin police published corresponding general decrees in the Official Gazette for Berlin.
A new restricted zone has been established at Admiralbrücke in Kreuzberg. For the first time, fireworks are prohibited there, as well as in the adjacent side streets and on the playground on the central reservation of Grimmstraße. As in previous years, further restricted areas are located at Alexanderplatz, in the Steinmetzkiez neighbourhood in Schöneberg and on part of Sonnenallee. The ban is in effect from 6 pm on New Year's Eve until 6 am on New Year's Day. Only sparklers, firecrackers and table fireworks, i.e. category F1 pyrotechnic articles, are permitted in the prohibited zones. Knives and weapons are prohibited.
From 6 pm on 31 December to 6 am on 1 January, a weapons and knife ban zone will also be established around the event area at the Brandenburg Gate and Straße des 17. Juni. This includes the Großer Tiergarten park and parts of the Hansaviertel and government district. No weapons or knives, including kitchen knives, may be carried in this area.