Tradefairs in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), home to Kölnmesse and Messe Düsseldorf, could be able to open their doors again for limited numbers of visitors if the seven-day incidence drops below 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. NRW state ministers for health and for the economy, Karl-Josef Laumann (CSU) and Andreas Pinkwart (FDP) made the announcement in Düsseldorf on 12 May, explaining how new coronavirus protection regulations could apply from 15 May.
Laumann noted that, so far, around 35% of people in NRW have been vaccinated once and 8.8% now have full protection after two injections. The incidence of Covid-19 in NRW has been declining and Germany's Robert Koch Institute said the rate was dropping and around the 111 mark per 100,000 for the seven days to 13 May.
NRW is the first German federal state to look to relax restrictions for holding major events and the new rules should also apply to congresses and meetings.
In September 2020, Düsseldorf welcomed more than 100,000 visitors over 10 days to the successful Caravan Salon show.
Photo © Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann
