Senate sticks to 2G rule for restaurants for now

Franziska Giffey, Governing Mayor of Berlin.

Berlin's Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey has ruled out a decision by the Senate to lift the 2G rule for restaurants.

Decision planned to remove 2G obligation in retail sector

A corresponding resolution is planned for the retail sector for the Senate meeting next Tuesday (February 15, 2022). In retail stores, a FFP2 mask obligation should then replace 2G. "To be clear: We will not pass a similar regulation for the restaurant industry on Tuesday," Giffey stated in the House of Representatives. "I want to point out again that we have a different situation in the catering industry. People do not eat and drink with FFP2 masks."

Expert hearing on Tuesday

The SPD politician explained that she doesn't think the time for such a decision has come. There had been calls for it in recent days from both the opposition and from Berlin's retail sector. Giffey announced, however, that the Senate would discuss further opening scenarios. For this purpose, an expert hearing is planned for Tuesday.

Reevaluation of the overall situation

The Governing Mayor also rejected criticism claiming that the aboliton of the 2G rule in retail came too late and should also have been coordinated with Brandenburg, where the cabinet has already passed a corresponding resolution. She stated that the Senate plans to reassess the overall situation by the next session. In the process, she said, spaces where the 2G rule would also no longer have to apply should be clearly defined. "It is absolutely legitimate for the state government to take these few days and examine to what extent we can then pass a corresponding regulation for other areas."