Frequently asked questions

Please note: The answers are from June 2nd and subject to correction or change.

Who exactly is entitled to enter the security area? Do tourists have access to the inner city (esp. For guided tours)? Will other services (e.g. cleaners, laundries, physiotherapists, serurity services) be able to do their jobs in the area?

From June 4th, 2009, 3 a.m. to June 5th, 2009, presumably 3 p.m., only accredited persons and law enforcement personnel will have access to the security area. Persons who can assert a legitimate interest can be accredited. This could be claimed by businesses in the area mentioned above and their staff, concert audience, hotel guests, participants in filed events as well as care attendants. This list is not complete; in any case a valid means of identification must be produced at the checkpoints.
Accrediting residents simplifies their access to the security area and can be done in advance - e.g. during information meetings. Tourists who want to get into the safety area on the days mentioned, have to face checks and long waits.

What waiting times at the security checkpoints will people have to take into account?

There will be separate entries for accredited persons. Waiting time there will probably be short. For non-accredited people, waiting time at the checkpoints might be longer.

Will shops remain closed?

In principle, shops can be opened. There will be certain restrictions obstructing the access of customers to the shops. This will be different for the Taschenbergpalais shops. They will not be able to open their entrances to the public on the respective days.

Can the underground car parks be used? If not - by when will cars have to be removed? When can they be used again?

Underground car parks can not be used. Cars can possibly be left there but it has to be taken into consideration, that due to restrictions they can not leave the car park before the afternoon of June 5th, 2009.

What specific effects does the president's visit have on air traffic, public transport and road traffic?

The restrictions to air traffic have not been fixed yet. Scheduled and charter flights can be carried out as scheduled, so that there will only be minor short term changes of arrival and departure times. Some busses and trams in the inner historic city will be redirected temporarily. City trains and long-distance trains will most probably run as scheduled.
The security area will be closed to traffic. Tangent streets can be used.

What are the opening hours for Zwinger, Grünes Gewölbe, Museum of Traffic and the Castle on June 4th and 5th?

These institutions will probably be closed on both days.

Do the scheduled events take plave? (esp. Semperoper on June 4th at about 11 a.m. and June 5th at about 7 p.m. and Frauenkirche on June 4th at about 8 p.m.)?

These events will presumably take place as scheduled. The police will enable attendants to gain access.

Will mail and newspapers be delivered? Do the letter boxes have to be locked?

Letter boxes need not be locked. Accredited staff can deliver mail and newspapers on June 4th. In the morning of June 5th, delivery of mail and newspapers will be restricted in certain parts of the inner city.

When can collection and delivery be done?

There is no collection and delivery by car from June 4th, 3 a.m., to June 5th in the evening.

Will meal service, especially for invalids, be ensured?

Meal service by car will not be possible. After being accredited the respective service staff can use access points for accredited persons and deliver meals without using vehicles.

How will medical care be ensured (emergencies, panel doctors, nursing services, private nursing)?

Nursing personnel can also be accredited in advance. It makes sense to register and follow advice. In special cases, accreditation is, of course, possible but might cause some waiting time. Medical emergency treatment will be provided (among others) by police doctors.

Will emergency contact points be established (missing children, lost property)?

A service point will be established in Landhaus. This can be used as a contact point for solving any questions and problems.

As a resident - may I have guests?

On principle, it will be possible to have guests. They have to be accredited in order to get into the security area.

Do hotel guests have access to their hotels? How does their luggage get to the hotels? Where can they leave their cars?

After being accredited, hotel guests have access to their hotels. They cannot use their cars in the closed area. There will be special arrangements with the hotels.

Will the president of the United States of America deliver a speech to audience?

The public will be able to see president Obama. The venue has not been decided yet.

Will there be a possibility of giving the president letters and gifts (such as typical Saxon products)?

Giving presents of any kind has not been scheduled.

Can construction work on building sites in the security area be done?

There will most probably be no construction work in the security area from June 4th, 3 a.m., to June 5th, 8 p.m.