On New Year’s Eve, fireworks are allowed in Saxony-Anhalt’s cities – albeit with restrictions. Those who cross borders sometimes have to dig deep into their pockets.
Halle (dpa/sa) – In Saxony-Anhalt there will be no specially designated firecracker ban zones on New Year’s Eve. So far, none of the larger municipalities in the country are planning such restrictions, according to a survey by the German Press Agency. Nevertheless, in certain areas within the municipalities, firecrackers are prohibited by the Explosives Act anyway.
The law prohibits the burning of pyrotechnical objects in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children’s and old people’s homes as well as particularly fire-sensitive buildings. The municipalities said that this also applies to the fire-sensitive half-timbered houses in Wernigerode and Halberstadt. “The immediate proximity is to be assumed to be at least 1.5 times the effect height indicated on the pyrotechnic object, i.e. usually between 100 and 150 meters,” said a spokeswoman for the city of Wernigerode. Thus, practically in the entire city center and other districts, there is “always” a statutory burning ban.
A spokesman for the city of Halberstadt said that there must be a minimum distance of 80 meters from the relevant facilities when firecrackers are fired. While there are said to be isolated controls at the market square and Nicolaiplatz in Wernigerode on New Year’s Eve, Halberstadt is not planning any such controls. According to the city administration, anyone who burns pyrotechnic objects in the sensitive areas is breaking the law and must expect a fine of up to five figures.
Saxony-Anhalt’s largest cities, Magdeburg and Halle, also do not want to set up no firecracker zones. However, both police inspections emphasized that this is not yet certain and that measures are reserved. “The city is not planning a ban on fireworks on New Year’s Eve and has therefore not yet issued a ban on certain places in the city,” said a spokesman for the city of Dessau-Roßlau. Each individual can weigh the arguments for or against the use of fireworks themselves. Likewise, the city of Eisleben does not provide for any extra firecracker ban zones.
