Weddings in Neukölln district contributing significantly to COVID-19 cases, according to the district mayor
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Germany has implemented guidelines to ensure safety at large events, including weddings. These guidelines are applicable to all communities, including Turkish and Arabic communities in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Recently, district mayors in these areas have called for limits on the number of attendees at events to reduce the workload for health authorities in contact tracing. Martin Hikel, the district mayor of Berlin's Neukölln district, has suggested a limit of "fifty people per event," while another suggestion from Hikel is a limit of "ten people per event."
Large gatherings, including weddings, have been identified as a significant contributor to the "dramatic increase in infections" in various districts of Berlin. In fact, it is estimated that between 20 and 40 potential COVID-19 contacts need to be traced per person. If the number of infected people reaches 40, it could result in up to 1,600 contacts that need to be traced.
Serap Güler, the State Secretary for Integration in North Rhine-Westphalia, has warned against celebrating large-scale events due to the potential for increased COVID-19 infections. Anyone who wants to celebrate on a large scale, such as a wedding with over 500 people, must either postpone the event or celebrate in the closest circle of family and friends.
Large gatherings have taken place in various districts of Berlin, including Tempelhof, Treptow, and Spandau. In the Neukölln district, large weddings with Turkish or Arabic backgrounds have been identified as a significant factor in "superspreader" COVID-19 events.
It is important to note that while venues may impose limitations on the size or scope of festivities to maintain safety and comfort, there is no specific mention of additional or culturally targeted restrictions for Turkish or Arabic communities in Berlin or North Rhine-Westphalia. However, local authorities or community organizations may provide supplementary advice.
For the most current and precise information, it is recommended to consult local health authorities' websites for Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia or contact wedding venues directly, as regulations can change rapidly in response to COVID-19 developments. Small weddings are allowed in selected areas, but large wedding parties may be restricted to avoid disturbing other guests.
In summary, large weddings in Germany, including in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, are generally permitted but may face venue-imposed or regionally mandated limitations to ensure safety, with no explicitly stated exceptional rules for Turkish or Arabic communities in these areas as of mid-2025.
- Despite the calls for limits on attendee numbers at events, policies regarding large weddings in Turkey and Arabic communities in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia do not appear to be specifically targeted or differentiated.
- In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a focus on science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health policy-and-legislation is crucial in managing the spread of infections, especially during large events like weddings.
- Controversies surrounding large weddings, particularly those within Turkish and Arabic communities, have raised concerns about war-and-conflicts between health authorities and communities who insist on hosting large events despite the risks.
- Reported superspreader events related to large weddings in the Neukölln district highlight the need for continued dialogue between communities, politicians, and health officials in the health-and-wellness and mental-health sectors to establish and enforce responsible wedding guidelines.
