See You Later - Thomas Girondel

Considered to be Europe’s good student in terms of managing the Covid-19 crisis that has raged since March 2020, Germany stood out during the first wave of the pandemic. The reasons for the low death rate were, among others, a federal – and not centralized – approach to the crisis, a better hospital preparedness, a very strong health care system and the rapid detection of those infected. From a sociological point of view, health measures are better accepted by the population because the society is built on trust and moral respect between citizens. Unlike France, a country with a revolutionary past where the government does not hesitate to impose strict confinements, Germany - except for Bavaria - has never tried to imitate its neighbor across the Rhine since the beginning of the health crisis and thus avoided movement restrictions.

Berlin has always been considered as a free city, even during the first wave of Covid-19. Some restrictions have been put in place but individual freedoms have not been restricted by the Länder Senate. However, the trendy capital, which has always attracted great numbers of tourists, once again lost its splendor with the expected arrival of the second wave of the pandemic. Classified as a risk zone alongside many German cities, the authorities are trying to stem this end-of-year crisis by adopting a light containment which has led to the closure of the bars, restaurants, and museums. Known for its cultural and night life, Berlin now keeps quiet at dusk.

With the city no longer welcoming tourists, the new international airport (BER) rings hollow. And the endless queues in front of the capital’s famous clubs have ceased to exist since March 13, 2020. Only their facades, like the bars, sometimes illuminated, suggest that this pandemic is only a contemporary nightmare. As for the Museum Island and its UNESCO-listed complex, it attracts groups of young people and citizens eager to discover in silence the nocturnal architecture rather than hordes of tourists craving to discover the bust of Nefertiti.

But the silence of certain districts of Berlin remains paradox because life remains strangely normal; a few weeks before the end of the year celebrations, shopping centers, stores and markets remain busy as the capital sees its cases of infections climb to 80,000 cases – despite the authorities’ recommendations to reduce social contact.

Since the start of the second wave, the authorities have their eyes in particular riveted on Mitte, Neukölln, Schöneberg and Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain, districts which registered respectively on 2 December 9546, 9273, 7231 and 6605 recorded cases of infections. They are densely populated but also trendy, cosmopolitan and popular with young people in search of freedom. Usually unrepresentative of Germany, Berlin is now being exactly that when it comes to the second wave of the pandemic: a large majority of German cities see a rise of infections every week. Exemplary vis-à-vis its European neighbors, the success of the first wave now seems distant. Two weeks before Christmas the Chancellor and state premiers agree that stricter measures are necessary. But will these come in time and will they reach their goal in the new year?

An employee of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) waits nearby a deserted luggage check-in on November 21. Since the second Covid-19 lockdown on November 2 and the shutdown of travel in Germany, the passenger traffic has collapsed sharply. An employee of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) waits nearby a deserted luggage check-in on November 21. Since the second Covid-19 lockdown on November 2 and the shutdown of travel in Germany, the passenger traffic has collapsed sharply.

A man sits by the remains of the Berlin Wall on the backside of the famous East Side Gallery on the first day of the light lockdown on November 2. The East Side Gallery is a symbol of joy of overcoming the division of Germany and is at the same time a historical testimony of the former border between the two states. A man sits by the remains of the Berlin Wall on the backside of the famous East Side Gallery on the first day of the light lockdown on November 2. The East Side Gallery is a symbol of joy of overcoming the division of Germany and is at the same time a historical testimony of the former border between the two states.

A masked man walks by a warehouse in the location of the most renowned night clubs and music venues of Berlin in the district of Friedrichshain nearby the S-Bahn stop of Warschauer Strasse on November 12. A masked man walks by a warehouse in the location of the most renowned night clubs and music venues of Berlin in the district of Friedrichshain nearby the S-Bahn stop of Warschauer Strasse on November 12. Since March 13 the nightlife in the capital has been pretty quiet due to the closure of all the clubs and concert halls who made Berlin the European party capital.

A masked man walks on Warschauer Strasse’s bridge located in the district of Friedrichshain on November 13. Usually busy with tourists and city commuters as well as party people, the Warschauer Strasse’s bridge nearby its S-Bahn stop is unusually empty. A masked man walks on Warschauer Strasse’s bridge located in the district of Friedrichshain on November 13. Usually busy with tourists and city commuters as well as party people, the Warschauer Strasse’s bridge nearby its S-Bahn stop is unusually empty.

A masked man on an escalator passes-by several graffitis representing people dancing in the Warschauer Strasse S-Bahn stop located in the district of Friedrichshain on November 26. A masked man on an escalator passes-by several graffitis representing people dancing in the Warschauer Strasse S-Bahn stop located in the district of Friedrichshain on November 26.

A woman passes a shuttle bus at dusk nearby Warschauer Strasse U-Bahn stop in the district of Friedrichshain on November 16. Mobility advice has again been in place in Berlin since the beginning of November: the authorities have encouraged the citizens to avoid the use of public transport as much as possible to avoid the spread of Covid-19 between districts. A woman passes a shuttle bus at dusk nearby Warschauer Strasse U-Bahn stop in the district of Friedrichshain on November 16. Mobility advice has again been in place in Berlin since the beginning of November: the authorities have encouraged the citizens to avoid the use of public transport as much as possible to avoid the spread of Covid-19 between districts.

People walk on a pedestrian crossing nearby the U-Bahn stop of Rathaus Neukölln (city district hall) in the Neukölln district of Berlin on November 20. The district of Neukölln is one of the most popular, densed and cosmopolitan of the capital and has been classified as one of the hottest spot of Covid-19 infections within the capital for weeks. On December 2 alone, there were 9273 cases in the district.

Two wrecks of vintage cars are placed on the roofs of garages nearby a car workshop in the district of Neukölln on November 20. Two wrecks of vintage cars are placed on the roofs of garages nearby a car workshop in the district of Neukölln on November 20.

A masked security agent stands at the entrance of the Maybachufer market in the district of Neukölln on November 27. In order to contain the corona pandemic, it is obligatory to wear masks on weekly markets where the minimum distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained. A masked security agent stands at the entrance of the Maybachufer market in the district of Neukölln on November 27. In order to contain the corona pandemic, it is obligatory to wear masks on weekly markets where the minimum distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained.

At nightfall masked people are enjoying the Maybachufer market nearby the Landwehrkanal waterway located in Neukölln on 20 November. The district has been classified for weeks as one of the hottest spots of Covid-19 infections within the capital. At nightfall masked people are enjoying the Maybachufer market nearby the Landwehrkanal waterway located in Neukölln on 20 November. The district has been classified for weeks as one of the hottest spots of Covid-19 infections within the capital.

On the rainy Sunday night on November 22, two take-away restaurants are illuminated to attract customers in the district of Neukölln which is considered as a Covid-19 high risk area within the German capital. On the rainy Sunday night on November 22, two take-away restaurants are illuminated to attract customers in the district of Neukölln which is considered as a Covid-19 high risk area within the German capital.

Two women enjoy the last rays of sunshine before sunset at Gleisdreieck park located in the district of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain on November 4. On December 2, with 6605 cases of Covid-19 infections, it was one of the most affected districts in the capital. Two women enjoy the last rays of sunshine before sunset at Gleisdreieck park located in the district of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain on November 4. On December 2, with 6605 cases of Covid-19 infections, it was one of the most affected districts in the capital.

Families and children enjoy the playground in the park of Gleisdreieck before sunset in the district of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain on November 4. Schools and childcare facilities are still open during the light lockdown. Contrary to the first lockdown the government stressed, it wanted them to remain open in order to support working parents and therefore the economy. Families and children enjoy the playground in the park of Gleisdreieck before sunset in the district of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain on November 4. Schools and childcare facilities are still open during the light lockdown. Contrary to the first lockdown the government stressed, it wanted them to remain open in order to support working parents and therefore the economy.

A man queues in front of a socalled Späti (or a corner shop) in the district of Schöneberg on November 4. On December 2, with 7231 cases of Covid-19 infections, it was one of the most affected districts in the capital. A man queues in front of a socalled Späti (or a corner shop) in the district of Schöneberg on November 4. On December 2, with 7231 cases of Covid-19 infections, it was one of the most affected districts in the capital.

Two people walk on the bridge linking the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus’ legislative building to the Paul Loebe’s parliamentary building nearby the Reichstag on November 23. Two people walk on the bridge linking the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus’ legislative building to the Paul Loebe’s parliamentary building nearby the Reichstag on November 23. While the restrictions on daily life during the first wave were tailored to the respective situation in each state, the 16 state premiers and Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on a joint catalog of measures at the beginning of the second wave. This was the federal government’s reaction to criticism from the population that the different rules that apply only add to the confusion. After the number of cases remained constantly high for weeks, however, the state premiers again decided to apply different rules.

A masked Berliner passes a closed bar nearby Friedrichstrasse in the district of Mitte on November 16. The authorities have mandated that all bars should remain closed as of November 2 until further notice. A masked Berliner passes a closed bar nearby Friedrichstrasse in the district of Mitte on November 16. The authorities have mandated that all bars should remain closed as of November 2 until further notice.

A woman checks the content of her laptop in a coworking space in the district of Friedrichshain in Berlin on November 11. The authorities have recommended the population to work remotely since March 2020. A woman checks the content of her laptop in a coworking space in the district of Friedrichshain in Berlin on November 11. The authorities have recommended the population to work remotely since March 2020.

An employee of the German postal service Deutsche Post holds a cart on an escalator. Normally busy at rush hour, the Potsdamer Platz station is unusually empty on November 13. The authorities advice companies yet again to work as much as possible remotely during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. An employee of the German postal service Deutsche Post holds a cart on an escalator. Normally busy at rush hour, the Potsdamer Platz station is unusually empty on November 13. The authorities advice companies yet again to work as much as possible remotely during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

An employee works alone on his laptop in an empty conference room nearby Potsdamer Platz in the district of Mitte in Berlin on November 23.

Known to be a significant business area, the Potsdamer Platz is less crowded as usual due to the recommendations o

An employee works alone on his laptop in an empty conference room nearby Potsdamer Platz in the district of Mitte in Berlin on November 23. An employee works alone on his laptop in an empty conference room nearby Potsdamer Platz in the district of Mitte in Berlin on November 23. Known to be a significant business area, the Potsdamer Platz is less crowded as usual due to the recommendations of the authorities to work remotely in order to tackle the Covid-19 spread.

View from a wasteland to an apartment block at dusk located in Lange Strasse in the district of Friedrichshain in Berlin on November 18. Most people stay at home as advised by the authorities. View from a wasteland to an apartment block at dusk located in Lange Strasse in the district of Friedrichshain in Berlin on November 18. Most people stay at home as advised by the authorities.

The storefront of a Späti (or corner shop) on Brückenstrasse located in the district of Mitte-Kreuzberg on November 6.

The authorities have mandated that all the corner shops and even gas stations, should respect a night curfew: the sale of alcohol is pr

The storefront of a Späti (or corner shop) on Brückenstrasse located in the district of Mitte-Kreuzberg on November 6. The storefront of a Späti (or corner shop) on Brückenstrasse located in the district of Mitte-Kreuzberg on November 6. The authorities have mandated that all the corner shops and even gas stations, should respect a night curfew: the sale of alcohol is prohibited from 11 pm to 6 am.

A S-Bahn leaves the platform of Berlin’s central station Hauptbahnhof at sunset in the district of Mitte on November 23.

Since the beginning of the pandemic the means of public transport in the capital are less busy than usual because passengers fear of

A S-Bahn leaves the platform of Berlin’s central station Hauptbahnhof at sunset in the district of Mitte on November 23. A S-Bahn leaves the platform of Berlin’s central station Hauptbahnhof at sunset in the district of Mitte on November 23. Since the beginning of the pandemic the means of public transport in the capital are less busy than usual because passengers fear of being infected by Covid-19. It results in shaking the BVG’s finances: there is a net loss of more than 300 million euros.

At the abandoned Tempelhof Airfield neighboring the districts of Neukölln and Tempelhof-Schöneberg, a Berliner does his workout while a father and his child enjoy the view over the airfield at sunset on November 15. At the abandoned Tempelhof Airfield neighboring the districts of Neukölln and Tempelhof-Schöneberg, a Berliner does his workout while a father and his child enjoy the view over the airfield at sunset on November 15.

At the abandoned Tempelhof Airfield neighboring the districts of Neukölln and Tempelhof-Schöneberg, people gather on Sunday afternoon on November 15 to enjoy the sunset, and play various outdoor activities. At the abandoned Tempelhof Airfield neighboring the districts of Neukölln and Tempelhof-Schöneberg, people gather on Sunday afternoon on November 15 to enjoy the sunset, and play various outdoor activities. The former "city airport" which closed in 2008 has since become a place for skateboarding, bicycling, running, skating, kiting, and picnicking.

A bus stops in front of Terminal 1 of the new and deserted Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) in Schönefeld located in the south of the German capital on November 21. A bus stops in front of Terminal 1 of the new and deserted Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) in Schönefeld located in the south of the German capital on November 21.

A masked woman passes an illuminated logo of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) on November 21. The new aiport which opened during the light lockdown on October 31 has seen a decrease of more than 92 % of its air operations. A masked woman passes an illuminated logo of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy-Brandt (BER) on November 21. The new aiport which opened during the light lockdown on October 31 has seen a decrease of more than 92 % of its air operations.

Berliners walk on a pedestrian crossing nearby Alexanderplatz in the district of Mitte during the Black Friday’s special sales week-end in Berlin on November 28. Since October 31, citizens have to wear a mouth-nose cover on crowded squares and streets such as Alexanderplatz which is one of the most visited and busy squares in the capital. Berliners walk on a pedestrian crossing nearby Alexanderplatz in the district of Mitte during the Black Friday’s special sales week-end in Berlin on November 28. Since October 31, citizens have to wear a mouth-nose cover on crowded squares and streets such as Alexanderplatz which is one of the most visited and busy squares in the capital.

Despite the advice of the authorities to avoid any crowds, masked people are queuing in front of a clothing shop during the Black Friday special sales in Alexa’s shopping center nearby Alexanderplatz on November 28. With 9546 cases of Covid-19 infections on December 2, the district of Mitte is the most touched district in the capital. Despite the advice of the authorities to avoid any crowds, masked people are queuing in front of a clothing shop during the Black Friday special sales in Alexa’s shopping center nearby Alexanderplatz on November 28. With 9546 cases of Covid-19 infections on December 2, the district of Mitte is the most touched district in the capital.

An empty square nearby Gendarmenmarkt in the district of Mitte on November 11. An empty square nearby Gendarmenmarkt in the district of Mitte on November 11.

Three young Berliners sit on the steps nearby the entrance of the James Simon gallery on the museums’ island located in Mitte on the first day of the light lockdown on November 2. The authorities have mandated that all cultural venues must close throughout November in an effort to rein in the skyrocketing growth in the number of daily infections. Three young Berliners sit on the steps nearby the entrance of the James Simon gallery on the museums’ island located in Mitte on the first day of the light lockdown on November 2. The authorities have mandated that all cultural venues must close throughout November in an effort to rein in the skyrocketing growth in the number of daily infections.

On Kottbusser Tor, a merchant stands in a vegetable street shop which is covered by pastic strips to prevent against the cold in the district of Kreuzberg in Berlin on November 10. On Kottbusser Tor, a merchant stands in a vegetable street shop which is covered by pastic strips to prevent against the cold in the district of Kreuzberg in Berlin on November 10.

A masked mother and her two children wait for an elevator at Hauptbahnhof Berlin main station on November 13.

Extensive mobility restrictions have again been in place in Germany since the beginning of November: travelling within the country has been str

A masked mother and her two children wait for an elevator at Hauptbahnhof Berlin main station on November 13. A masked mother and her two children wait for an elevator at Hauptbahnhof Berlin main station on November 13. Extensive mobility restrictions have again been in place in Germany since the beginning of November: travelling within the country has been strongly discouraged by the authorities. The restrictions have been less strict than in spring, with the hope that a light lockdown could also reduce the number of Covid 19 cases. Unfortunately so far it doesn’t work as cases are rising and the authorities are currently planning stricter measurements

Three berliners walk on a pedestrian crossing nearby Kottbusser Tor located in the district of Kreuzberg in Berlin on November 11, behind them one of the many fast food restaurants that usually attract the quarter’s visitors and party people. Three berliners walk on a pedestrian crossing nearby Kottbusser Tor located in the district of Kreuzberg in Berlin on November 11, behind them one of the many fast food restaurants that usually attract the quarter’s visitors and party people.

A man rests on a windowsill of a closed company buidling in Rudolfstrasse in the district of Friedrichshain on November 18. A man rests on a windowsill of a closed company buidling in Rudolfstrasse in the district of Friedrichshain on November 18.

A light beam is used on a rooftop of a closed bar in Spreewaldplatz in the district of Kreuzberg on November 26. The authorities have mandated that all restaurants and bars within the capital must be closed from November 2 until further notice. A light beam is used on a rooftop of a closed bar in Spreewaldplatz in the district of Kreuzberg on November 26. The authorities have mandated that all restaurants and bars within the capital must be closed from November 2 until further notice.

Nearby Kurfürstendamm (nicknamed the German Champs-Elysées of Germany) and the station Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, a woman stands in front of the Zoo Palast cinema where the writing "See you later" refers to the cultural venues’ closure, which is a consequence of the light lockdown decided by the authorities on November 2 to tackle the Covid-19 spread in the capital. Nearby Kurfürstendamm (nicknamed the German Champs-Elysées of Germany) and the station Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, a woman stands in front of the Zoo Palast cinema where the writing "See you later" refers to the cultural venues’ closure, which is a consequence of the light lockdown decided by the authorities on November 2 to tackle the Covid-19 spread in the capital.

Tom GirondelPhotographer

Tom Girondel
Photographer