You had to get used to many new terms during the pandemic.

The second Corona session now gives us another one: Customs zone.

In Cologne, from Altweiber to March 1st, the whole city center becomes one.

Since there is an increased risk of infection here “due to the customary gathering of a large number of people”, 2-G-plus rules apply to revelers who want to “stay” there, the city of Cologne announced.

Carnival fans who want to celebrate in Cologne city center must therefore be vaccinated and tested or boosted.

Anna Schiller

volunteer.

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A spokesman for the city said on request that the regulatory office would be on duty with up to 160 employees in the customs zone on the carnival days to check vaccination certificates.

You can also celebrate in the Cologne pubs during this session.

Admission is only granted to revelers who have received a booster vaccination or have recovered and who can also show a negative test from the day.

D'r Zoch Kütt... to the stadium

The people of Cologne can finally look forward to their Rosenmontagszoch this year.

Although it is not allowed to take place in the city due to the Corona Protection Ordinance, it has been moved to the RheinEnergieStadion.

8,800 spectators can watch from the grandstand if masks are compulsory and 2-G-plus.

Nobody has to do without camels: so that the visitors can catch the sweets over a longer distance, larger camels are thrown, boxes of chocolates, for example, said a spokeswoman for the Cologne carnival.

Anyone who would like to see the wagons up close will have the opportunity to do so afterwards: After the 300-metre lap through the stadium, the 22 parody wagons will be on display for 24 hours at twelve locations in Cologne along the actual train route, for example at the cathedral and on Schildergasse.

"We wanted to find a way to let as many people as possible participate in the move," the spokeswoman said.

The cars were presented to the public on Tuesday.

As always, the wagon builders make fun of big politics.

"Persiflage remains our instrument for holding up a mirror to the authorities," said Holger Kirsch, the leader of the Cologne Shrove Monday procession.

The parade also treats current events satirically: Vladimir Putin can be seen on a wagon, who as a giant baby is hammering together a new Soviet Union.

"Filling the carnival with life even in Corona times"

Düsseldorf also sets up a customs zone on the carnival days.

As in Cologne, the 2-G-plus rule applies.

The restaurateurs in the old town are not allowed to open their outdoor terraces on these days.

Outdoor sound reinforcement and beer wagons are also prohibited, and the storming of the town hall at Altweiber has been cancelled.

You can celebrate inside - but this only applies to those who have been boosted and recovered and who can also show a negative test result.

The people of Düsseldorf don't have to do without the move either, although it doesn't take place on Shrove Monday.

The Düsseldorf Carneval Committee postponed it to May 29 due to the infection process.

“If you are a bit creative, you can fill the carnival with life even in Corona times,” says its spokesman.

The Blue and White Prince Guard have set up a "camp" in the old town, where celebrations can also take place on the great days.

Fans of the Meenzer Fastnacht, on the other hand, are hit particularly hard this year: the city of Mainz and the Mainz Carneval Association had already decided in January to once again forgo the street carnival due to the high number of infections.

They had also previously canceled the Rose Monday parade.