Coronavirus: Empty streets and squares amid Germany′s second lockdown | All media content | DW | 21.12.2020

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Germany

Coronavirus: Empty streets and squares amid Germany's second lockdown

Many of Germany's busiest streets and squares have never been so empty shortly before Christmas. Strict COVID-19 rules, which have hit many hard, are in place throughout the country.

  • An empty Kurfürstendamm boulevard in Berlin

    Deserted Kurfürstendamm

    Usually, Berlin's famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard is among the capital's busiest shopping streets, bustling with locals and tourists alike — especially during the Christmas season. This year, however, is anything but usual. Most shops have shut in line with the country's coronavirus restrictions.

  • An empty Breitscheidplatz in Berlin

    Christmas market canceled

    Normally, at the nearby Breitscheidplatz square, the Christmas market is teeming with visitors. This year, it has been called off. The market — located in the heart of what was once West Berlin — became the target of an Islamist terror attack in 2016 that left 12 people dead. Strict safety precautions have since been introduced.

  • A woman and child look at a display window at the KaDaWe department store in Berlin

    Window shopping only

    Berlin's Kaufhaus des Westens, situated at the eastern end of Kurfürstendamm avenue, is among Germany's most famous department stores. All floors, except for the famed food department, are closed. The government has promised businesses financial compensation for the month of December, though many are still waiting for the money.

  • Tables and chairs stand empty in downtown Hamburg

    Empty streets in central Hamburg

    Things look similarly bleak in Hamburg, Germany's second-most populous city. Few, if any, locals are frequenting the shopping district around Mönckebergstrasse. Retailers here expect the second lockdown — slated to last until January 10 — to cause a marked drop in sales.

  • A police car stands in a near deserted petedestrian area in Freiburg

    Police patrols in Freiburg

    The quaint, southwestern city of Freiburg near the Black Forest is known for its quality of life. On December 12, the state of Baden-Württemberg imposed daytime curfews, mandating locals to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Nighttime curfews are stricter still. Police in Freiburg and elsewhere enforce the new rules.

  • Scenes from the pedestrian zone in Munich, Germany

    Ban on public drinking

    During the Christmas season, Munich's Marienplatz and Karlsplatz squares are usually crowded with groups of people enjoying cups of mulled wine. But in an effort to curb coronavirus infections, the Bavarian capital has banned the public consumption of alcohol.

  • Closed shops are illuminated in front of the 'Theatiner' church in Munich, Germany

    Bavaria in lockdown

    Empty streets are all that can be found in Munich's historic Kreuzviertel neighborhood. Bavaria has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the state, public life has quieted down considerably. A recent poll by public broadcaster ARD nevertheless found that 69% of Germans agree with the tough lockdown measures.

  • An empty street in Saxony

    Infection spike in Saxony

    The eastern state of Saxony has recorded some of Germany's highest coronavirus infections. On Friday, the district of Bautzen reported over 700 new cases per 100,000 residents in just one week. Reichenstrasse, Bautzen's busiest boulevard, is practically empty these days.

  • A sign attached to a light pole reminding people to wear a face mask

    Mandatory masks

    Masks have been mandatory in Saxony's capital, Dresden, for quite some time. This past weekend, the state government further tightened its coronavirus restrictions. Now, supermarkets are limited to selling essential products only — items such as clothing, books or toys must be taken off the shelves to encourage social distancing.

  • The Brandenburg Gate with no people

    Eerily quiet

    Rarely since the fall of the Berlin Wall has the area surrounding the capital's Brandenburg Gate been this empty. This is unlikely to change any time soon, with tourists absent and the major New Year's Eve celebration canceled — the country's biggest annual event of this kind, which is broadcast globally. This year, Germans will have to be content with a New Year's Eve countdown on television.


  • An empty Kurfürstendamm boulevard in Berlin

    Deserted Kurfürstendamm

    Usually, Berlin's famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard is among the capital's busiest shopping streets, bustling with locals and tourists alike — especially during the Christmas season. This year, however, is anything but usual. Most shops have shut in line with the country's coronavirus restrictions.

  • An empty Breitscheidplatz in Berlin

    Christmas market canceled

    Normally, at the nearby Breitscheidplatz square, the Christmas market is teeming with visitors. This year, it has been called off. The market — located in the heart of what was once West Berlin — became the target of an Islamist terror attack in 2016 that left 12 people dead. Strict safety precautions have since been introduced.

  • A woman and child look at a display window at the KaDaWe department store in Berlin

    Window shopping only

    Berlin's Kaufhaus des Westens, situated at the eastern end of Kurfürstendamm avenue, is among Germany's most famous department stores. All floors, except for the famed food department, are closed. The government has promised businesses financial compensation for the month of December, though many are still waiting for the money.

  • Tables and chairs stand empty in downtown Hamburg

    Empty streets in central Hamburg

    Things look similarly bleak in Hamburg, Germany's second-most populous city. Few, if any, locals are frequenting the shopping district around Mönckebergstrasse. Retailers here expect the second lockdown — slated to last until January 10 — to cause a marked drop in sales.

  • A police car stands in a near deserted petedestrian area in Freiburg

    Police patrols in Freiburg

    The quaint, southwestern city of Freiburg near the Black Forest is known for its quality of life. On December 12, the state of Baden-Württemberg imposed daytime curfews, mandating locals to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Nighttime curfews are stricter still. Police in Freiburg and elsewhere enforce the new rules.

  • Scenes from the pedestrian zone in Munich, Germany

    Ban on public drinking

    During the Christmas season, Munich's Marienplatz and Karlsplatz squares are usually crowded with groups of people enjoying cups of mulled wine. But in an effort to curb coronavirus infections, the Bavarian capital has banned the public consumption of alcohol.

  • Closed shops are illuminated in front of the 'Theatiner' church in Munich, Germany

    Bavaria in lockdown

    Empty streets are all that can be found in Munich's historic Kreuzviertel neighborhood. Bavaria has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the state, public life has quieted down considerably. A recent poll by public broadcaster ARD nevertheless found that 69% of Germans agree with the tough lockdown measures.

  • An empty street in Saxony

    Infection spike in Saxony

    The eastern state of Saxony has recorded some of Germany's highest coronavirus infections. On Friday, the district of Bautzen reported over 700 new cases per 100,000 residents in just one week. Reichenstrasse, Bautzen's busiest boulevard, is practically empty these days.

  • A sign attached to a light pole reminding people to wear a face mask

    Mandatory masks

    Masks have been mandatory in Saxony's capital, Dresden, for quite some time. This past weekend, the state government further tightened its coronavirus restrictions. Now, supermarkets are limited to selling essential products only — items such as clothing, books or toys must be taken off the shelves to encourage social distancing.

  • The Brandenburg Gate with no people

    Eerily quiet

    Rarely since the fall of the Berlin Wall has the area surrounding the capital's Brandenburg Gate been this empty. This is unlikely to change any time soon, with tourists absent and the major New Year's Eve celebration canceled — the country's biggest annual event of this kind, which is broadcast globally. This year, Germans will have to be content with a New Year's Eve countdown on television.


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