Features
Berlin’s Clubs Desperate To Resume Indoor Operations
Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images – At the corner of the Berlin
People are queuing up for Corona quick tests.
The German capital of Berlin, one of the world’s most famous destinations for underground club culture, has not seen an indoor rave since March 2020.
For a few weeks now, clubs with outdoor spaces have been allowed to host a maximum of 1,000 people outside, provided guest are able to show proof of full vaccination, a negative test, or proof of recovery.
However, to save the sector – and underground culture – it is crucial that indoor events resume as soon as possible. According to the Clubcommission, the association representing some 250 of Berlin’s clubs, the coming weeks will be crucial.
That is why, from Aug. 6-13, the sector will be bundling its efforts in cooperation with the city’s policy makers, health authorities and scientists, to create the framework in which indoor events can return.
Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images – The club Salon zur Wilden Renate, or only Wilde Renate, in Alt-Stralau, Berlin.
The iconic underground club, like all underground clubs in the German capital, has been banned from operating since March 2020.
The coming weekend, Aug. 6-8, will see several pilot events take place under the “Clubculture Reboot” banner. Iconic clubs including Metropol, Kitkat, Salon zur Wilden Renate, and more will participate.
The events are open to guests above 18 years of age, who agree to get tested twice, pre and post event, irrespective of their vaccination status. Three designated testing centers have been established at participating clubs, where ticket holders will receive their results by Friday night.
The second test will be taken on Aug. 13. The price for both tests are included in the €15 ticket price for each pilot event.
The best-case scenario will show that no infections can be traced back to indoor events taking the measures outlined above.
Clubcommission sees a high vaccination rate amongst club goers as another important building block for the return indoors. It therefore supports the so-called “Langen Impfnächte” (long vaccination nights) at Arena Berlin vaccination center.
On Aug. 9, 11, and 13, between 8 p.m. and midnight, DJs will perform at the Arena, while club goers can get their BioNTech injection.
Finally, on Aug. 13, another pilot event will take place at Revier Südost: 1,000 participants, indoors, no masks, no distancing. Visitors will have to show a negative test, be fully vaccinated, or have recovered from COVID.
People in the latter two categories won’t have to show up for the second test scheduled two weeks after the event. The carrying of a tracking device to monitor crowd movements is voluntary, and will be encouraged by offering free shots in return.