COVID: Opening a new business during the pandemic Germany has seen many local businesses go bust during the pandemic. But surprisingly, "risky business" has been a turn-on for some entrepreneurs and they say now is the time to take the plunge. Downtown Bonn has seen numerous closures (right), while other stores (left) now keep irregular hours It's not hard to see the effect the pandemic is having on German businesses these days. Once busy downtowns are now dotted with empty storefronts. And while some locals are baffled to see these shops go, they're even more baffled by the fact that new shops are moving in. After all, who wants to open a new business in the middle of a pandemic?