On 26 August 1961, East Germany generally banned West Berliners from entering the Eastern sector. West Germans and other nationals, however, could still get visas on entering East Berlin. Since intra-city phone lines had been cut by the East already in May 1952 (see below) the only remaining way of communication with family or friends on the other side was by mail or at meeting in a motorway restaurant on a transit route, because the transit traffic remained unaffected throughout.
on 26 august 1961 east germany generally banned west berliners from entering the eastern sector west germans and other nationals however could still get visas on entering east berlin since intra-city phone lines had been cut by the east already in may 1952 (see below) the only remaining way of communication with family or friends on the other side was by mail or at meeting in a motorway restaurant on a transit route because the transit traffic remained unaffected throughout