After a standstill of almost two years, all Corona restrictions no longer apply at German trade fairs. Nationwide, neither access restrictions such as 3G or 2G regulations, capacity restrictions, distance requirements nor masking obligations apply at trade fairs.
The regulations of the Infection Protection Act to prevent the spread of Corona were revised in Germany (§ 28a and § 28b IfSG) 1 October 2022. The amendments are part of a legislative package passed by the Bundestag and Bundesrat in September to "strengthen the protection of the population and especially vulnerable groups against COVID-19". The regulations shall be effective until 7 April 2023 (Good Friday).
Although the spectrum of possible Corona restrictions has changed for the federal states as of 1 October 2022, this has not changed anything for the German trade fair industry: Trade fairs can still take place without Corona restrictions.
Hygiene concepts at trade fairs in Germany
Trade fairs are business platforms where comprehensive hygiene concepts can be implemented to protect the health of all trade fair participants. More information on hygiene concepts at trade fairs in Germany can be found here.
Entry requirements for trade fair participants from abroad
Trade fair participants from abroad can enter Germany. Detailed information on entry requirements for exhibitors and visitors from abroad is available here. The rules on accommodation and public transport can be found here.
Trade fairs in Germany
In Germany, around 150 of the 390 planned trade shows were postponed to later months or canceled in the first quarter due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 300 exhibitions are planned for 2022. Exhibitions remain the platform for exhibitors and visitors to acquire new customers and present the latest products and technologies. Live at the trade show, all senses are addressed, challenged and stimulated. If you haven't been to your industry trade fair, you're missing out. You can get all the information on the the Restart of the trade fair industry here.
AUMA offers the dates of the next trade fairs in Germany in its trade fair database at https://www.auma.de/en/exhibit/find-your-exhibitions?typ=nmd - both of real trade fairs and of digital formats. Further information on trade fairs in Germany and abroad is available from the respective organiser.
Consequences of Corona-related trade fair cancellations
The cancellation of exhibitions does not only result in losses for the directly involved actors such as organisers, exhibitors, visitors and service providers, but also has serious macroeconomic consequences. Among others, the hotel industry, gastronomy, transport industry, etc. are affected. According to calculations by the Institute of the German Trade Fair Industry, the overall economic losses due to the cancellation of exhibitions in 2021 already amount to 24.4 billion euros. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the damage amounts to 50 billion euros, 165,000 jobs are at risk and 6.7 billion euros in tax revenue will be lost to the treasury. Further information: Current analysis of the German Ifo Institute for Economic Research
Economic aid granted by the German Federal Government
The cancellation of trade fairs in Germany and other corona-related measures to restrict contacts have resulted in serious losses for many companies in the trade fair and event industry. For this reason, the German Federal Government has been providing extensive support measures, which are being successively supplemented and increased. Here you will find an overview of the state corona aid.
