Weddings in Neukölln district causing significant virus spread, according to the district mayor.
In a growing concern over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials in Berlin are warning about the potential risks posed by large weddings and events. District Mayor Martin Hikel of Neukölln district has suggested postponing or limiting wedding parties to a close circle to aid contact tracing for health authorities.
The concern stems from the high number of infections in Germany, with an estimated 400,000 new daily infections and 1 in 118 people actively infectious as of July 29, 2025. This suggests a significant ongoing wave of COVID-19.
Large weddings and events, particularly those with a multicultural gathering of multiple households and social networks, have been identified as potential sites for transmission. While no direct source links the rise in infections in Berlin specifically to large multicultural weddings, this pattern is consistent with known epidemiological risks of indoor gatherings.
Serap Güler, State Secretary for Integration in North Rhine-Westphalia, has warned against generalizing about large Turkish-Arabic weddings and pointed to the party scene in Berlin and Hamburg as an example. Güler does not provide evidence to support her claims about the party scene in these cities.
Güler has also stated that it is not exclusively a migrant problem, but a wider issue affecting various social groups. However, she does not provide any recommendations for how to handle smaller gatherings that may contribute to the spread of COVID-19.
District Mayor Hikel has stated that large weddings with Turkish or Arabic backgrounds are a significant portion of Corona-"superspreader" events in Berlin. He calls for a limit of ten people per event to facilitate contact tracing for health authorities.
As of now, there have been five large weddings and events causing problems for the districts, according to Güler. These large parties and smaller gatherings have taken place in various districts of Berlin, including Tempelhof, Treptow, and Spandau.
Güler has emphasized that a normal wedding party, whether Turkish or Arabic, with over 500 people is not possible today. She suggests that anyone who wants to celebrate should either postpone the wedding party or celebrate in the closest circle.
However, as of late July 2025, no explicit policy or official regulation updates regarding weddings in Germany have been found. General global recommendations during high transmission periods have included capacity limits, mask-wearing, or proof of vaccination/testing for gatherings, but no precise rules for Germany in July 2025 are cited.
Given the absence of explicit information, it would be advisable to consult the official German public health websites for the most current and specific guidelines. It is crucial to prioritise safety and follow any regulations put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
- The concern over the spread of COVID-19 has extended to issues beyond just science and health-and-wellness; it now encompasses mental-health as well, given the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic.
- Social-media platforms have become essential in spreading information, not just about entertainment and general-news, but also for disseminating updates on the pandemic, contact tracing, and safety measures.
- Crime-and-justice authorities have seen a rise in incidents related to non-compliance with health measures, particularly in large events and gatherings, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement.
- In the absence of specific and updated policies regarding large weddings and events in Germany, it's crucial for the public to stay informed and compliant with general global recommendations, such as capacity limits, mask-wearing, and proof of vaccination/testing for gatherings, to prioritize safety and curb the spread of COVID-19.
