Corona protective measures: can 3G be implemented in trains?

Status: 11/15/2021 4:01 p.m.

With the changes to the Infection Protection Act, the parties to the possible traffic light coalition also want to introduce a 3G regulation for local and long-distance public transport. Is that feasible?

By Lilli Hiltscher, tagesschau.de

The possible partners of a traffic light coalition have agreed on a tightening of the infection protection law. According to the bill that the ARD capital studio is available, the rules for unvaccinated people in particular are to be tightened. Part of the draft is therefore also a 3G obligation for local public transport and long-distance transport, regardless of the mask requirement that continues to apply: “Anyone using public transport must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested,” says the draft is being discussed by experts today.

Scheuer thinks 3G is unrealistic

However, the examination of a similar approach on the part of the executive federal government showed that “this requirement is neither legally unproblematic nor practicable,” as the Federal Ministry of Transport asked for tagesschau.de communicated. At the time of the review, the effort involved in the controls was not in proportion to the benefit. Studies have shown, for example, that wearing masks offers sufficient protection.

Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer reacted critically to the proposal of the SPD, Greens and FDP: “The traffic lights act haphazardly, hectically and chaotically. As a new majority, you have to get up to speed scientifically, legally and organizationally before you enter it World sets, “said Scheuer. He recommended that those involved carefully check in advance “whether and how the proposals could be implemented and monitored at all”.

Companies are reluctant

The responsible bus and train companies also reacted cautiously to the proposal. Oliver Wolff from the Association of German Transport Companies said that the options for implementation were being examined, but had to take into account that “in an open system with several million passengers a day, seamless controls cannot take place.”

Wolff also referred to the applicable transport obligation in local and long-distance public transport. This is legally anchored in the General Railway Act and may only be suspended under certain conditions. Deutsche Bahn, the largest provider of long-distance trains in Germany, wanted to respond to requests from tagesschau.de did not comment on the announced measure.

Critics criticize the feasibility of the controls

The passenger association Pro Bahn pointed out that it was not possible to implement such a measure. “In regions where a long-distance train only stops every two hours, the railway staff can theoretically carry out the corresponding checks. However, the staff there has no way of removing someone who refuses to take protective measures from the train because he does not stop,” says Karl- Peter Naumann from Pro Bahn. In local transport, on the other hand, due to the large number of stops and passengers, the staff is not even able to check the 3G regulation completely.

In addition, experience shows that, for example, mask refusers would quickly become aggressive towards the train staff: “To ensure the safety of employees, a 3G rule could only be implemented sensibly in trains if it is randomly checked by the federal police,” said Naumann. Otherwise there is a risk that the staff will soon no longer be carrying out any checks at all.

Union for heavy fines for violations

The railway and transport union (EVG) demanded in a statement that it must be clearly regulated who controls the 3G rule and how passengers who do not bring any evidence should be dealt with. A close consultation with the federal police is necessary in order to enforce the exclusion of such passengers from the onward journey. The EVG also demanded high fines for violations of the 3G rule.

The structural requirements at train stations and stops in Germany are generally unsuitable to enable the 3G rule to be checked before boarding. In addition, this would only be possible with a high level of personnel expenditure. Therefore, the debate on the implementation of the proposal focuses on who can carry out the checks on the means of transport and what problems arise as a result.

In Italy, 3G is already in place on long-distance trains

Other countries are already further with a 3G obligation for long-distance trains: For example, Italy introduced a 3G obligation for long-distance buses and long-distance trains in September. The Green Pass – proof that a person has tested negative, vaccinated or recovered – should be checked by railway staff at stations and trains. The same applies in France: Anyone older than twelve years there and traveling by train without a mask or 3G certificate pays a fine of 135 euros. Long-distance trains may only be entered after the so-called Pass sanitaire, comparable to the CovPass, has been checked. And the Russian government has also presented a draft law that will only allow vaccinated and convalescents to travel by long-distance trains.

Parliament will vote on Thursday

The amendments to the Infection Protection Act have already been introduced in the Bundestag, and experts will be heard on them today. Parliament will then vote on the proposed changes on Thursday.

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