The Berlinale officially recorded 128 positive Covid-19 cases from the festival’s testing system, from 10,938 tests carried out between February 10 and the evening of February 16.
In a statement, the festival noted: “With 1.5% of positive tests the figures are far less than the average percentage of positive tests around Berlin.”
Whilst the winners were announced last night (February 16), the festival runs until Sunday with catch-up screenings, so the final Covid case numbers will rise.
Screen is also aware of multiple delegates who have tested positive outside of the festival’s testing system.
This year’s festival took place amid a surge of the omicron variant in Germany, with strict 2G measures in place throughout the festival.
Yesterday the city recorded 11,531 new infections, or 1,118 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Testing buses were set up close to festival venues, where point-of-care antigen tests are available for both accredited guests and audience members.
Events and screenings are restricted to attendees who are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, with the wearing of an FFP2 mask compulsory.
Additionally, accredited press have to present proof of a negative antigen test from within the previous 24 hours in order to take part in screenings and other festival events.
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