INTERNATIONAL: German carnival season officially opens in Cologne, Germany despite Covid wave, with only people recovered from or vaccinated against Covid-19 being admitted to the festivities, as the country face a record surge in infections.

Every year on 11th November, at exactly 11:11 in the morning, costumed people storm the town halls and symbolically take power for the coming weeks. It marks the beginning of the carnival season,

 which Germans also call the "fifth season."

Cologne's pleasure seekers could not completely escape the pandemic during celebrations of the "fifth or silly season" after the carnival's "prince" tested positive for the virus and was forced to skip the event for the second year running.

Last year, Germany was in the middle of a COVID-19 lockdown and all mass events such as street carnivals were cancelled. Carnival in Germany typically means masses of people attending alcohol-laden parties and costume parades.

This year — despite skyrocketing infection rates as Germany navigates its fourth wave — the cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf are going ahead with their celebrations. Partygoers say they felt safe. The controls are so intense. So, people want to make the most of it.

Carnival is celebrated in Germany's predominantly Catholic west and south, with much swaying to traditional ballads and brass bands, masses of people attending alcohol-laden parties and costume parades.

^{PHOTO: START OF CARNIVAL SEASON, COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES AT ENTRANCE TO HEUMARKT (OLD TOWN SQUARE), REVELLERS SAYING THAT DESPITE THE SAFETY MEASURES THEY WANT TO HAVE FUN}