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Munich’s famed Oktoberfest beer fair canceled over virus fears
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A waiter carries glasses of beer during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, September 16, 2017. (Reuters/Michaela Rehle)
M
unich’s famed Oktoberfest folk and beer festival is being canceled this year, the latest major event to fall victim to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We agreed that the risk is simply too great,” Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder said at a news conference Tuesday.
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter said the event -- this year due to take place between Sept. 19 and Oct. 4 -- brings in around 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for local businesses and that hotels, restaurants and taxi drivers would especially suffer.
Read also: San Diego Comic-Con canceled due to coronavirus
Schwere Entscheidung mit Münchens OB Dieter Reiter: Das Oktoberfest 2020 muss ausfallen. Das Risiko ist einfach zu hoch. Man kann dort weder Abstand halten noch Mundschutz tragen. Mit Corona zu leben, heißt vorsichtig zu leben, bis es Impfstoff oder Medikamente gibt. #wiesn pic.twitter.com/AMHpQAjIL0
— Markus Söder (@Markus_Soeder) April 21, 2020
The Oktoberfest, first celebrated in 1810, is one of the world’s biggest folk festivals and draws around 6 million visitors each year.
Germany has banned large public gatherings until at least the end of August.
--With assistance from Birgit Jennen.
