Since the beginning of December, stricter rules have been in place when shopping.
The federal and state governments have determined that unvaccinated people can no longer go shopping everywhere, but only from so-called basic providers. But there is confusion. Traders went to court, the judgments varied. CHIP explains where unvaccinated people can no longer shop and where it is still possible.
The 2G rule for shopping has been in effect since the beginning of December. But gradually, companies and judges are lifting the measure again. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Lüneburg, for example, conceded the 2G rule in Lower Saxony.
Munich MediaMarkt does without 2G
Surprisingly, MediaMarkt suspended the 2G rule for the Munich branch in the euro industrial area.
The press office did not comment on the background. Inquiries went unanswered. “You can now shop in our store without presenting a vaccination card or negative corona test,” said an email that was sent to the company’s club members on Monday evening. The company also wrote: “In order to guarantee you a comfortable and safe shopping experience, we are continuously adapting our hygiene concept to current conditions.”
When it came to customer service, it was confirmed to FOCUS Online on Tuesday: “Yes, customers do not need any proof in this Munich branch.”
Authorities intervene
Although employees speak of an existing special permit, on request the responsible district administration department says: “As part of its regular on-site inspections, the district administration department has established that there are no 2-G checks in several branches of Media Markt and Saturn in Munich.”
According to the Infection Protection Measures Ordinance, the branches are obliged to do so, according to the press office.
“The district administration department is in contact with those responsible and will initiate appropriate fine proceedings in the event of violations.”
2G in retail: Lots of special regulations, a lot of confusion – what applies where
Toy stores
According to the judgment of the Administrative Court in Munich, toy stores are considered to be the basic suppliers in Bavaria. Ground? Bavaria had counted flower shops and Christmas tree sellers among “basic suppliers of everyday needs”. During the Christmas season, toy shops have at least the same meaning for children as books, cut flowers and garden tools are for adults, the judges said. How important and urgent a daily requirement has to be so that the business is not subject to the 2G regulation cannot be inferred from the text of the regulation or the justification.
In Bavaria, 2G does not apply to toy stores. Unvaccinated people have free access.
Clothing stores
The Bavarian Administrative Court also made a similar decision for clothing stores. Like bookstores or flower shops, fashion and shoe retailers would “cover daily needs” and are not subject to the 2G rule. Unvaccinated people can shop there without any problems. Vaccinated and convalescents do not need any proof.
Department store
In a Galeria-Karstadt-Kaufhof branch, customers can shop in the food sector without having to provide proof. But if you want to buy clothes or housewares, 2G applies. Companies must introduce separate access points here and control them accordingly.
Hardware stores
The situation is just as complicated at home improvement stores. The states themselves decide whether DIY stores are among the basic suppliers in the retail sector. In Baden-Württemberg no evidence is required upon admission, in North Rhine-Westphalia it is. FOCUS Online advises: Vaccinated and convalescent should take their evidence with them. Unvaccinated people should check in advance on the network what is valid in their region.
Perfumery or drug store
A Müller drugstore in Heidenheim (Baden-Württemberg) has to implement 2G. Ground? In addition to drugstore items, the branch also sells toys, CDs and other goods that are not part of everyday use. Because drugstore items are not the focus of the company, the branch has to implement 2G.
Non-food discounters
Non-food discounters like Tedi, Kik or Action are not among the basic suppliers. But there is a catch. In some rural regions, retailers are the only option for customers to stock up on household goods, clothing or even food (snacks). Some municipalities could grant them the right to circumvent the 2G rule with a special permit.
Tailoring
Companies that only offer sewing and tailoring services can pass as basic suppliers. However, if the company sells shoes or clothing (first or second hand), for example, the 2G rule applies, according to the responsible Bavarian Ministry of Health on request.
Where does 2G not apply when shopping?
The 2G rule for shopping does not apply for the time being
- in the supermarket (Edeka, Rewe, Familia, Real, Hit, Kaufland, Netto Markt, Markant, Globus, Kaisers, Konsum, Combi, V-Markt),
- at the discounter (Aldi Süd, Aldi Nord, Lidl, Netto Marken-Discount, Norma, Penny and Co.),
- at all food wholesalers (such as Metro or Kastner),
- at all delicatessen dealers (including Turkish, Russian, Greek, Spanish food markets, Asian markets and others)
- in all organic markets (Alnatura, ebl-naturkost, Bio Company, Basic, Denns BioMarkt, VollCorner, SuperBioMarkt or Naturgut),
- at all weekly food markets,
- in all farm shops,
- at all health food stores (regional suppliers and chains such as health food stores, Vitalia and others),
- at many drugstore stores (dm, Rossmann, Budni and Müller; exception applies if toys, CDs and perfume are widely available in the range
- at all butchers (regional suppliers and chains)
- at all fish sellers (regional suppliers and chains)
- at all bakeries and pastry shops (regional suppliers and chains such as Kamps, Bachmeier, Ihle, Hofpfisterei, Back-Factory, BackWerk, Görtz or Lila Bäcker)
- in pharmacies (regional operators and chains such as DocMorris)
- in baby stores (regional operators and chains such as Babyone or BabyMarkt)
- at coffee, tea and wine merchants (for example Jacques’ Wein-Depot; 2G or 2G Plus only applies to tasting)
- in the bookstore (regional operators and well-known chains),
- in all flower shops (florists, flower shops, plant shops or nurseries) and not
- at all beverage markets (regional suppliers or chains)
In addition, no proof is required in the following stores:
- At the optician,
- at the hearing care professional,
- in the medical supply store,
- at the cleaners,
- in the laundromat,
- at the kiosk (with or without tobacco sales),
- Magazine and newspaper dealers (with or without a lottery acceptance point) or
- in the pet supplies market
Where does 2G apply when shopping?
All stores that only sell clothes, shoes, perfume, toys, fabrics, electronics, carpets, wall paints, furniture, kitchens, televisions and no food are not basic suppliers. So you have to implement 2G. However, if judges in administrative courts have decided otherwise, 2G does not apply in certain branches.
There could therefore be confusion with the following chains. Under normal conditions, 2G applies here:
- Action
- Benetton
- C&A
- Deichmann
- esprit
- Ernstings Family
- Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof
- HM
- Jysk
- Ikea
- Kik
- Media market
- mango
- Furniture Höffner
- Mömax
- new Yorker
- NKD
- Primark
- Saturn
- Segmuller
- Tchibo (if more non-food goods are sold, Tchibo cafés may offer to-go coffee without 2G)
- Tedi
- TK Maxx
- XXXL Lutz
- Woolworth
- Zara
Which documents apply?
The evidence is checked by employees or security personnel hired for this purpose.
Vaccinated persons need either the digital, the printed or the yellow vaccination card.
Digital apps on smartphones that are accepted include CovPass-App, Corona-Warn-App, Stop Corona (Austria), TousAntiCovid (France) and others. FOCUS Online advises: Use the popular CovPass app, which you can download here.
Genesis need their positive PCR result or the quarantine order from which a Covid 19 disease emerges. The corona infection must be at least 28 days ago and must be a maximum of six months old.
Digital versions of the vaccination and recovery certificates as well as their paper versions in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish are accepted. Almost all countries of the European Union print out the vaccination certificate in English in addition to the national language.
The following documents are generally accepted to establish identity:
- Identity card,
- Passport,
- Driver’s license,
- Health insurance card (with photo) or
- Student ID (with photo)
The article first appeared on Focus.de.