Coronavirus: Empty streets and squares amid Germany's second lockdown

Usually, Berlin's famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard is among the capital's busiest shopping streets, bustling with locals and tourists alike — especially during the Christmas season. This year, however, is anything but usual. Most shops have shut in line with the country's coronavirus restrictions.

Normally, at the nearby Breitscheidplatz square, the Christmas market is teeming with visitors. This year, it has been called off. The market — located in the heart of what was once West Berlin — became the target of an Islamist terror attack in 2016 that left 12 people dead. Strict safety precautions have since been introduced.

Berlin's Kaufhaus des Westens, situated at the eastern end of Kurfürstendamm avenue, is among Germany's most famous department stores. All floors, except for the famed food department, are closed. The government has promised businesses financial compensation for the month of December, though many are still waiting for the money.

Things look similarly bleak in Hamburg, Germany's second-most populous city. Few, if any, locals are frequenting the shopping district around Mönckebergstrasse. Retailers here expect the second lockdown — slated to last until January 10 — to cause a marked drop in sales.

The quaint, southwestern city of Freiburg near the Black Forest is known for its quality of life. On December 12, the state of Baden-Württemberg imposed daytime curfews, mandating locals to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Nighttime curfews are stricter still. Police in Freiburg and elsewhere enforce the new rules.

During the Christmas season, Munich's Marienplatz and Karlsplatz squares are usually crowded with groups of people enjoying cups of mulled wine. But in an effort to curb coronavirus infections, the Bavarian capital has banned the public consumption of alcohol.

Empty streets are all that can be found in Munich's historic Kreuzviertel neighborhood. Bavaria has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the state, public life has quieted down considerably. A recent poll by public broadcaster ARD nevertheless found that 69% of Germans agree with the tough lockdown measures.

The eastern state of Saxony has recorded some of Germany's highest coronavirus infections. On Friday, the district of Bautzen reported over 700 new cases per 100,000 residents in just one week. Reichenstrasse, Bautzen's busiest boulevard, is practically empty these days.

Masks have been mandatory in Saxony's capital, Dresden, for quite some time. This past weekend, the state government further tightened its coronavirus restrictions. Now, supermarkets are limited to selling essential products only — items such as clothing, books or toys must be taken off the shelves to encourage social distancing.

Rarely since the fall of the Berlin Wall has the area surrounding the capital's Brandenburg Gate been this empty. This is unlikely to change any time soon, with tourists absent and the major New Year's Eve celebration canceled — the country's biggest annual event of this kind, which is broadcast globally. This year, Germans will have to be content with a New Year's Eve countdown on television.