As Germany’s COVID-19 infection rate has risen to its highest recorded level yet, some of the country’s 16 federal states started to restrict event, restaurant and bar access to unvaccinated patrons.

The list of states that now apply the so-called “2G rule” was joined by North-Rhine Westphalia, the country’s most populous. 2G stands for “geimpft” (vaccinated) and “getestet” (tested), Xinhua news agency reported. In order to attend events during Germany’s Carnival season, also known as the “Fifth Season” that began on November 11, people must additionally comply with the new rule, according to which vaccinated or recovered individuals must also show a fresh negative COVID-19 test. Children and young people are exempted from most of these measures. “The COVID-19 situation is getting worse,” said Hendrick Wuest, minister president of North-Rhine Westphalia, during a press conference on Tuesday, stressing that the country’s east and south were particularly hard hit.