Clear blue skies and sunshine, the perfect Oktoberfest weather, is forecast for this Saturday, the festival’s normal opening date.
At 12pm sharp on September 19th, Munich mayor Dieter Reiter would have been dressed in Lederhosen and tapping the first beer barrel with two strikes of a hammer, opening the world’s largest public festival.
But at the Theresienwiese - the official ground of Munich’s Oktoberfest - testing tents have replaced beer tents. Where normally a million litres of beer would be flowing, people are being tested for Covid-19.
Munich may even introduce an alcohol ban on September 19th to prevent private ‘substitute parties’ which could come with high risks of spreading the virus.
‘Something missing’
It was a historic decision to cancel Oktoberfest for the first time in 70 years. But the pandemic raised too many risks.
“An autumn without Oktoberfest - there is simply something missing"
“An autumn without Oktoberfest - there is simply something missing," Mayor Reiter said. On Saturday, he would have handed state premier Markus Söder, the first mug of beer.
Instead, however, the two of them went announced their decision in April to cancel Oktoberfest. "It hurts us," said Söder at the time. Reiter spoke of a sad day and an emotionally challenging moment.
Doctors warn against alternatives
Packed rides, overcrowded tents - the festival would have become a major centre of infection. The so-called “Wiesn flu”, typical of the time of year, was already rife.
But doctors are also wary of the Oktoberfest alternatives and private parties. If hygiene rules are adhered to, the risk can be assessed, said Bernd Zwißler from the anesthesiology department of the University of Munich clinic.
The optimum way to avoid the transmission of the virus is simply not to meet. However, to ban events like this entirely would be neither socially acceptable nor proportionate.
It is feared that Oktoberfest fans could celebrate a “wild Wiesn”
Climate protection activists want to demonstrate there as an alternative to the Oktoberfest, but at the same time, a ban on entering the Theresienwiese is under discussion in addition to the possibility of an alcohol ban. It is feared that Oktoberfest fans could celebrate a “wild Wiesn” - with a high risk of infection.
“If anyone is looking to experience some Oktoberfest atmosphere, there are still many good opportunities”, said district administration officer Thomas Böhle, referring to various offerings such as the ‘WirtshausWiesn’ and ‘Summer in the City’.
