NRW toughens rules for private celebrations

AOn Thursday, the case drew widening circles. North Rhine-Westphalia Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann announced that crown regulations would be tightened across the country. “At worst, I don’t want us to face the decision to completely ban big celebrations,” said FAZ politician CDU. so that the law enforcement office can check that everything is in order in good time.

By noon, the city of Hamm reported that the seven-day incidence at the site had risen again: in the city area, it is now 95.5 corona infections per 100,000 residents. 196 people are seriously infected with the virus, around 150 of them dating back to that big wedding in early September, which has been angering local politicians for days.

The city has now located some 330 guests at Hamm’s wedding, quarantined and tested them. As before, no one knows how many people participated in the celebrations. The city administration estimates that there were at least 400 to 500 people. According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Crown Protection Ordinance, only 150 guests are allowed at private parties. But not only the number of guests far exceeded the regulations. Organizers were also extremely unwilling to cooperate when authorities asked for the names of guests to trace contacts. According to the applicable regulations, private celebrations are in principle exempt from the requirement of distance and the requirement of the mask, but only if “adequate precautions” are taken for hygiene and monitoring of contact.

Much remains hazy

In the meantime, you have the names of the bride and groom and the place, but much remains to be seen. It is known so far that the celebrations lasted several days and took place in three locations. At Hamm, the majority of the guests are said to belong to “nationalities of the South East European region”; most of them are apparently members of Turkish minorities in the Balkans, especially Bulgaria. The wedding started with a big farewell party in Hamm, where apparently there was a long and close dance. The actual wedding celebration took place a few days later in a rented hall in Dortmund. Finally, a third event in Werl.

In Hamm, the rest of the city is also feeling the consequences of the big wedding. Due to the large number of infections, the city administration has tightened the crown regulations. Since Wednesday, a maximum of five people or two households have been allowed to gather in public spaces or in restaurants, cultural or leisure facilities. In secondary schools, a mask is again required, as is the case with sporting or cultural events. In addition, the fair was closed and purchases on Sunday were canceled.