A 16-year-old flouted Germany's social distancing guidelines by celebrating her birthday with 31 others at an apartment in Berlin. Police ultimately broke up the festivities.
Image: picture alliance / dpa
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Police in Berlin broke up a large birthday gathering in the early hours of Monday that violated Germany's social distancing restrictions.
A 16-year-old girl was celebrating with 31 other people at an apartment in the German capital's central Mitte neighborhood. The girl's mother had apparently rented the property especially for the occasion.
"If a girl together with 31 guests is celebrating her 16th birthday and her own mother has apparently rented a 2.5 room apartment in Mitte for this purpose, then unfortunately we aren't stopping by just to say congratulations," Berlin police tweeted.
The police added that all 32 party attendees were being investigated for criminal offenses and violating social distancing rules put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. The mother who rented the apartment, along with the the landlord, will also be investigated, they said.
Nonessential businesses, including pubs and movie theaters, have closed, while restaurants have been asked to shut unless they offer food for pick-up or delivery.
How are lockdowns enforced around the world?
Police around the world have been working to enforce stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods vary in different countries. Some carry out arrests, while others take a more polite approach.
Image: Reuters/P. Ravikumar
Dhaka, Bangladesh
A detained man crouches in front of policemen enforcing the lockdown. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Image: DW/H. U. R. Swapan
Kathmandu, Nepal
A Nepalese police officer maintains distance as he detains a man defying the lockdown imposed by the government. Kathmandu, Nepal, March 29.
Image: Reuters/N. Chitrakar
Chennai, India
Police force residents to do sit-ups as a punishment for breaking the lockdown. Chennai, India, April 1.
Image: Reuters/P. Ravikumar
Bangkok, Thailand
Thai police officers wearing protective masks stop a man on a motorcycle at a checkpoint. Bangkok, Thailand April 3.
Image: Reuters/J. Silva
Ahmedabad, India
Members of a rapid action force patrol a neighborhood urging people to remain indoors. Ahmedabad, India, April 1.
Image: Reuters/A. Dave
Mogadishu, Somalia
Police attempt to disperse revelers swimming in the Indian Ocean near Lido Beach as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Mogadishu, Somalia, April 3.
Image: Reuters/F. Omar
Brighton, England
A police community support officer speaks with a beachgoer at Brighton Beach in the UK, April 4.
Image: Reuters/P. Cziborra
Jerusalem, Israel
Israeli police detain an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man in the Mea Shearim neighborhood during a partial lockdown. Jerusalem, Israel, March 30.
Image: Reuters/R. Zvulun
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Members of Guatemala's National Civil Police escort men detained for breaking curfew. Guatemala City, Guatemala, April 3.
Image: Reuters/L. Echeverria
Los Angeles, California, USA
Los Angeles Police Department officers verify permitted passenger travel at Union Station. Los Angeles, California, April 4.
Image: Reuters/K. Grillot
Moscow, Russia
During a snowfall in Moscow's Red Square, a police officer gives instructions to pedestrians after the city authorities announced a partial lockdown. Moscow, Russia, March 31.
Image: Reuters/M. Shemetov
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A police officer orders a sunbather to leave a closed beach. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 28.
Image: Reuters/L. Landau
Near Cape Town, South Africa
Soldiers and a police officer are seen among shacks in Khayelitsha township as authorities attempt to enforce a nationwide lockdown. Near Cape Town, South Africa, March 27.
