Frankfurter Buchmesse not affected by the mass events ban’s extension

At a press conference(opens in a new window) held today, Volker Bouffier, Prime Minister of the State of Hesse, and Kai Klose, Minister of Social Affairs, confirmed that Frankfurter Buchmesse is still scheduled to be held in October, in keeping with a decision taken by the state government. The fair’s organisation will be governed by the agreement between Germany’s federal and state governments of 6 May 2020, which stipulates that each state can decide when trade fairs may once again be held, subject to compliance with health and social-distancing regulations. Moreover, trade fairs do not fall within the category “mass events”. The objective of major events such as the Oktoberfest differs significantly from that of a trade fair, where the main focus is on the presentation of goods.

Please also note the following press release from AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry:

The German federal states have agreed on 17th June 2020 that mass events generally will stay prohibited until 31st October 2020. This concerns for example folk- and street-festivals and other public events of such kind.

This directive does not apply to trade fairs as AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry – emphasizes. This was determined by the agreement of the federal states 6th May 2020. Additionally this agreement specified that with immediate effect the states may decide on their own authority about the permission of trade fairs, and about regulations concerning distancing and hygiene. This has happened in many cases already.

In Germany trade fairs will take place as of September according to the organisers‘ planning.