The public of a show at the Berliner Ensemble wears face masks.
© dpa
Some of Berlin's most important cultural institutions want to stick to compulsory masks even after most Coronavirus regulations are officially dropped.
This was confirmed by leading theaters and opera houses in the capital on Wednesday (March 30, 2022) upon request. The three major theaters, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Deutsche Oper, and the Komische Ope, will not only recommend but require the wearing of face masks in the foyers and when seated.
The Deutsches Theater, the Berliner Ensemble and the Volksbühne also want to act accordingly. Such regulations are also being discussed at the Schaubühne and the Philharmonie. The German Historical Museum and the Humboldt Forum are also planning to make masks compulsory, while other museums are still in the process of agreeing. A general recommendation from the Berlin administration is expected this Thursday.
"We want to continue to enable our audience to enjoy a safe and pleasant visit to the theater and will therefore adapt our protective measures step by step and with prudence," said the artistic director of the Volksbühne, Oliver Reese. In order to continue to minimise the possibility of infection, he said, the compulsory wearing of masks will also be maintained during performances in April. The audience is asked to keep their distance at the entrance and in the foyers.
The usual checks of vaccination certificates are no longer required at most cultural institutes. The Humboldt Forum will continue to check vaccination certificates for events and guided tours. In Berlin's Yorck cinemas, masks will not be compulsory, "but we ask for mutual consideration and the voluntary wearing of masks when seated."