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Magdeburg (dpa / sa) - Due to the Corona restrictions, Saxony-Anhalt is facing a turn of the year with little fireworks and a lot of police presence.
No New Year's Eve rockets and firecrackers were sold nationwide this year.
The state government and numerous mayors and district administrators appealed to refrain from burning supplies on Thursday evening and on Friday night if possible.
In addition, it is forbidden to serve or drink alcohol in public on New Year's Eve (from 8 p.m.) until New Year's morning (8 a.m.).
As is the case every year, it is important not to bawl in front of hospitals, nursing homes and churches.
In historic city centers with half-timbered houses such as Quedlinburg and Halberstadt, fireworks are also prohibited due to the risk of fire.
Some cities imposed additional bans on firecrackers in popular squares to prevent crowds.
A maximum of five people can come together for private New Year's Eve celebrations.
The state and municipalities want to send hundreds of law enforcement officers on patrol to check compliance with the Corona New Year's Eve rules.
In addition to the regular patrol officers, a large part of the riot police will be on duty, said a spokesman for the Interior Ministry when asked by the German press agency.
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The background to the strict celebration rules at the turn of the year is the tense corona situation, especially in the clinics in the south of Saxony-Anhalt.
There, a lack of staff due to quarantine and illnesses causes problems as well as the increasing number of patients who have to be treated with more severe Covid courses.
An additional burden from people who are injured by firecrackers and fireworks should be avoided as well as numerous new infections from large party groups.
Questions and answers from the state government about the applicable corona rules