Impact Level: Notification

Locations Affected: the Platform 17 Memorial at Grunewald Station, the vicinity of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Bellevue Palace, the Government District, Grunewald, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Mitte, Berlin, Germany

Tracking Id: RINTP2724235057

Description:

As per reports, due to the state visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Berlin on Monday (12 May), extensive security measures, traffic closures, and associated disruptions are expected across multiple districts, including Mitte, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, and Grunewald between Sunday (11 May) and Tuesday (13 May).

• The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel and includes a reception by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.
• Beginning Sunday (11 May) evening, and continuing until the morning of Tuesday (13 May), barriers and road closures will be in place around the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Hardenbergstrasse near Bahnhof Zoo.
• High-security perimeters will also be established around Bellevue Palace and government offices, especially on Monday (12 May). Driving on the Spree River, particularly near Bellevue Palace and the Federal Chancellery, will be temporarily restricted.
• The Berlin Police have advised residents and commuters to avoid the impacted areas. The Ministry of Family Affairs (near Friedrichstraße) and the Platform 17 Holocaust Memorial at Grunewald station will also be closed to the public on Monday (12 May). Public access to outdoor areas for gatherings or demonstrations will be restricted in designated zones.
• Specific security restrictions will be in place in the vicinity of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, bounded by Hardenbergstrasse, Budapester Strasse, Kantstrasse, and Joachimsthaler Strasse, from 2000 hours (local time) on Sunday (11 May) until 0900 hours on Tuesday (13 May).
• Additional restrictions will be in place in the areas of Government District from 1200 hours to 1800 hours (local time) on Monday (12 May), in Bellevue Palace from 0700 hours (local time) to 2359 hours (local time) on Monday (12 May), at the Platform 17 Holocaust Memorial at Grunewald Station from 1200 hours to 1700 hours (local time) on Monday (12 May), and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs from 1100 hours to 1600 hours (local time) on Monday (12 May).
• Authorities have declared all designated zones as high-security areas. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid affected locations. Police have mandated that residents in restricted areas carry valid identification or company ID cards for verification purposes.
• The use of public spaces for outdoor gatherings and demonstrations is temporarily prohibited. The parking of vehicles, bicycles, electric scooters, motorcycles, and mobile containers, including garbage bins and clothing donation bins, is banned in and around the security perimeters.

Impact:

• Traffic disruptions and congestion are expected in Mitte, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, and Grunewald due to road closures and police-controlled perimeters.
• Public transport rerouting and limited accessibility are anticipated to affected stations and areas. Restricted access to government buildings and memorials are expected, impacting scheduled public and administrative activities.
• Business operations disruption are expected in the affected zones, including delivery delays, customer access limitations, and employee commute constraints.
• Increased security checks and identification verification are anticipated for residents and employees within restricted zones. Suspension of river traffic is anticipated on the Spree in designated areas.

Recommendations:

• Advised to avoid travel through affected districts during the specified periods. Recommended to plan alternative routes in advance and anticipate delays.
• Advised to use public transport only after checking for route modifications or suspensions. Advised to carry valid ID at all times when moving through city center areas.
• Recommended to inform employees and clients of access limitations. Recommended to encourage remote work on Monday (12 May) if operations are based in restricted zones.
• Advised to reschedule non-essential deliveries or activities to avoid delays. Advised to ensure secure storage of items such as waste containers and mobile structures outside of restricted areas.
• Advised to carry personal and company identification at all times. Recommended to secure personal property in compliance with temporary security regulations. Advised to avoid gatherings and limit outdoor activity near cordoned zones.

Sources:
• https://web.de/magazine/regio/berlin/israel-staatsbesuch-absperrungen-staus-montag-40963030
• https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/israel-staatsbesuch-absperrungen-und-staus-am-montag-110468164.html
• https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article408977622/israel-staatsbesuch-herzog-berlin-sperrungen-sicherheit-polizei.html