By Greg Vega 
It begins again: in Cologne, the carnival session began at 11.11 in Humemark. Under Corona conditions and how is it celebrated with 2G? t-online is live.
Despite the sharp increase Corona infections and more than 50,000 new corona infections The new festival session opened at 11.11am on Thursday with thousands of enthusiasts. 2G rule applies in Cologne: Only vaccinated and cured people have access to outdoor party areas. A negative corona test is not enough.
Confetti and cheerleaders at 11.11am at Cologne’s Humart: 2G rule does not preclude entertainers from having dinner. (Source: Somerfeld / T-Online)
Pub Carnival with Fewer Guests – “Usually Hell Happens Here”
Beyond the large squares, pubs in Cologne were full of jokes in pre-Corona times. According to a D-Online reporter, in the second year of the epidemic, at least not much happened in Honnender. “Reissdorf am Hahnentor” has only guests who have booked a guest room so far. Martin Schlutter, Managing Director: “We don’t want a big party this year. We celebrate with half the cast. Usually we have 300 people at the carnival.”
Security man Thomas Lehmann, who was personally hired by Martin: “This is my third annual festival. Usually all hell is going on here. Today is somewhat quiet. You can already see it when you look down the street.”
Guests at “Reissdorf am Hahnentor”: Usually 300 guests come to the bar, the landlord has decided to allow only half of them due to the corona. (Source: Somerfeld / T-Online)
Colner Jagan: “Corona events do not scare us”
Christophe, 27, who traveled from Rottweil in Baden-Württemberg, said of the growing Corona vulnerabilities: “We go to Carnival in Cologne every year. We’re not vaccinated. We were all vaccinated and tested. It could not. His friend Lucas, 21, says: “You can’t go wrong with 2G and testing. It’s a pleasure to be held.” Tim, 35, who came from Berlin and disguised himself as a cardinal, told a DPA reporter that excessive corona exposure did not prevent him. “In that, it’s a safe thing. It’s 2G, it’s out there. We’re all vaccinated, we have no previous diseases.”
Disguised mockers in Cologne: Everyone on Heumarkt says they are safe because they have been vaccinated or recovered. (Source: Somerfeld / T-Online)
“Rod Fungan” leader: “We have to live with Corona”
Heinz-Günther Hunold, president and commander of Rhode Funcon, is deeply concerned about the corona epidemic. He says: “Of course it’s a special time. We will live with Corona today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. We need to find a way back to life. For our dinner at the Mauritius Hotel tonight, we even decided. 2G + and short notice to the public.” Asked to be tested.
A maid checks the vaccine status of a jack: only those who have recovered or been vaccinated will be allowed inside. (Source: Somerfeld / T-Online)
Long queue and large crowd in front of Cologne Humorct
At 10 a.m., a large queue formed in front of the Humart entrance control room. Too much of a hurry. Disguised in bright colors, they line up several hundred meters behind. Here, too, according to a D-Online reporter, only a handful of people wear the mask. With the exception of Homarket, the city is not yet full.
A long queue has formed in front of the Homarket entrance: despite the corona epidemic, thousands wanted to celebrate the opening of the festival. (Source: Somerfeld / T-Online)
FC coach Palmcord disguised himself as a “pig horn”
For Carnival training, 1. FC Köln’s head coach appeared in a pink piggy bank, wearing a unicorn. In addition to this “pig horn” dress, she wore sunglasses and a long, blonde wig. FC experts were also in disguise. Modeste came as a doctor and Anderson as a knight.
FC coach Stephen Palmcord during training on November 11: He was disguised as a “pig-horn”. (Source: Puko / Imeko Images)
The fun set off for the start of the festival – many without masks
The regional train RB 48 in the direction of Leverkusen was already packed at 9am and the mood was good, the D-Online reporter said. Many young people go to Cologne for the festival. Some of them are masked here.
Mayor Recker: “Not the beginning of a normal festival”
Henriet Recker, Lord Mayor of Cologne, advises to celebrate the start of the carnival outside, considering the high corona impacts. “Personally, I recommend celebrating in the fresh air,” said the German Press Agency non-party politician.
Festival Artists in Cologne on 11.11.2019: This year the festival will be held under special conditions. (Source: Horst Galuschka / Archivbild / imago Images)
“All the restaurants, all the organizers and as a city we have taken many steps to make the celebrations as safe as possible,” Recker promised. “But we all know that there can be no absolute security.” So, she has a good understanding of private restaurants that do not open their pubs. She would also understand better if someone didn’t want to celebrate in the current situation.
1,000 police officers need to keep things in order
A year ago it was on 11.11. For the first time in decades, nothing happened. Due to the epidemic, as Cologne Mayor Henriet Rocker put it, it was a “complete weekend.” This year it is different because large sections of the population are vaccinated.
However, the number of infections has risen sharply again in recent weeks. That’s why the 2G rule applies in encircled areas in the old city of Cologne and in the Zulfich district. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Anyway, the Cologne police want to show their presence and are stationed with 1,000 officers. 11.11. Traditionally big celebrations, especially in Cologne. Before Corona, many 100,000 guests came to the city. As of Thursday, 15,000 people are expected on Heumarkt.
Positive corona test in colon triamvirate
It’s bitter: Shortly before the start of Carnival Kick-Off, designated Carnival Prince Sven Olef tested positive for the Corona virus. He and he The two co-rulers have canceled all appearances for the time being. Sven I. The Cologne Carnival Festival Committee announced Wednesday that it had been vaccinated twice and showed no symptoms.