Cork girl Katie has watched Berlin become a ghost town
A NORTH Cork native living in Berlin has given a fascinating insight into how life has changed in the German capital since the COVID-19 pandemic struck and how it has impacted on the wider Irish community there.
Katie Browne from Rathcormac, who works as training manager for a pan-European online bank, said the normally bustling city has become a “ghost town” due to the strict restrictions imposed by the German Government.
Currently, Berlin has more than 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with the strict controls now in place seemingly helping to control the spread of the virus across the city.
Katie told The Corkman that as of last Sunday all gatherings of more than two people have been banned and each person must now carry ID and an Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebestätigung, documents confirming they are officially registered at a German address, when they venture outdoors.
“Each days starts and ends as normal but, if you need to leave your apartment you are greeted by near deserted streets, with those people who do go outside hiding their faces behind scarves and medical masks,” said Katie.
“For many people, normal daily living in Berlin usually involves a busy commute to work with bustling streets and hectic public transport. However, this has drastically changed with the streets virtually empty and people ensuring they maintain a large distance between one another. It’s like a ghost-town,” she added.
Katie said one of the biggest issues facing people is that of social isolation, with all the bars, clubs and restaurants having been ordered to close down since March 14. Like back here in Ireland, restaurants can now only serve take-away meals.
“The Polizei (Police) have been very much in evidence patrolling the streets and forcibly closing down any of the restricted businesses that have tried to open. The supermarkets remain open and these has been some panic buying but so far there has not been any serious shortage of goods and supplies,” said Katie.
She said advice that other business such as hair salons, gyms and cosmetic studios close their doors to the public down has also had a huge impact on social activities.
“Unfortunately, this has led to many people losing their jobs, leaving many Irish here with no option but to return home,” said Katie.
However, with strict travel restrictions now in operation between Germany and other countries, including the closure of land and sea borders and severe reductions in flight schedules, this is no longer an option for those ex-pats still remaining in Berlin.
“I am lucky in that I can still go to work. Other people I know have not been so lucky. However, there is a really strong Irish community here in Berlin and we are able to support one another, even if that is just online or on the telephone,” said Katie.
She said that like many of her friends, Katie is in constant contact with relatives at home to reassure them that they are coping well.
“Obviously my family are worried but realistically there is no way that I or any of my friends will be able to get back to Ireland for now. We will just have to ride this out and keep in touch with people back home to let them know we are doing,” said Katie.
“Berlin is no different to everywhere else in that we have no idea how long this situation will last. For now, we will just try to continue with our lives as best we can and continue to support one another until life returns to some kind or normality and people can return to work and begin to socialise once again.”