FFP2 mask requirement in long-distance trains and long-distance buses, lifting of the rules in aircraft and Co.: New corona rules came into effect in Germany on Saturday. Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was satisfied with the new Infection Protection Act. However, the Minister of Health warned against corona variants with which recently infected people can also become infected again. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is already registering a significant increase in the number of infections.
In the long-distance trains, a surgical mask was previously sufficient, an FFP2 mask was only recommended. According to a spokeswoman, a medical mask has also been sufficient for Flixbus until now. In regional traffic, the 16 German federal states now decide for themselves about protective measures. However, their health ministers had spoken out in favor of sticking to the mask requirement on buses and trains. In airplanes, on the other hand, the mask is no longer necessary.
Nationally, FFP2 masks must also be worn in clinics, nursing homes, medical practices and other healthcare facilities. A negative test is also required when entering healthcare facilities and hospitals. Employees should be tested several times a week.
Additional tightening is open to countries
The federal and state governments had decided on the new regulations through a further amendment to the Infection Protection Act – otherwise the remaining corona rules would have expired in September. It also states that the states themselves can impose even stricter measures, such as mandatory masks in shops and restaurants or tests in schools and kindergartens.
The federal states can also make further specifications, such as visitor limits for events, distance specifications in public spaces or masks outside if distances are not possible. However, the state parliament must first determine that there is a concrete risk to the health system or other important areas of concern.
Lauterbach, on the other hand, was satisfied with the new specifications. “We opted for 95 percent of the measures I wanted,” he told the Frankfurt Allgemeine Sunday newspaper. While he wanted to keep the mask requirement on airplanes, he didn’t give up on the wish right away. “We now have a strict mask requirement in clinics in clinics and medical practices. It’s worth more because there are a lot more people in operating theaters or waiting rooms than on airplanes.”
Lauterbach said he could rule out a “killer variant” of the virus in the fall. The bad news is that there are now variants where the immune escape is very pronounced.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
