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With Covid-19 cases on the rise and the new Omicron variant still a relative unknown to authorities, national governments are taking steps to try and get things back under control. In Germany, that includes reducing the number of fans allowed in football stadiums.
Germany’s national and state officials met today to discuss measures to address the rise in coronavirus cases, and agreed that capacities in football stadiums (and other outdoor sports venues) would be reduced to 50% capacity and a maximum of 15,000.
NEW: Following today‘s Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz, German football venues will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, BUT only up to a maximum of 15,000.
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) December 2, 2021
Some states (Bayern, Sachsen, Baden-Württemberg) have already spoken of Geisterspiele (no fans) in their states.
This means that BVB will host Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker with only 15,000 fans in attendance cheering them on.
This is obviously a real disappointment for Borussia Dortmund, as they really needed a full stadium to spur the team on against Bayern Munich, but at the end of the day, the health and well-being of the community is obviously much more important. There was already growing concern as cases increased all over Europe, but the new Omicron variant clearly has everyone spooked too. Hopefully these measures will help to curb the spread.
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