end of a quarrel
Lauterbach announces: From February 2nd, the mask requirement in long-distance traffic will no longer apply
Only a few more weeks until travelers can board the trains again without a mask
© Monika Skolimowska / DPA
The controversial mask requirement in long-distance traffic will be eliminated in a few weeks. This was announced by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
The mask requirement in long-distance public transport should fall on February 2nd. This was announced by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) on Friday in Berlin. The Federal Government can suspend the measure in whole or in part by statutory order. “We just have to rely more on personal responsibility and voluntariness,” said Lauterbach.
The demands for an early end to the mask requirement have recently become louder, within the federal government the FDP in particular insisted on it. According to the Infection Protection Act, the obligation to wear a mask in long-distance traffic should last until April 7th.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) said on Wednesday that the end had to come “as soon as possible” and also referred to the burden on railway staff due to the control of the Corona measure. Deutsche Bahn also spoke out this week for an early end to the mask requirement in long-distance transport. Similar to air transport, long-distance trains should also be voluntary, it said.
Masks are only compulsory in medical and health facilities
Lauterbach had recently not ruled out a premature end to the mask requirement in long-distance transport and in health facilities. “It may well be that we will abolish the mask requirement earlier,” the SPD politician told the “Stern” without setting a date.
In local public transport, the mask requirement has already been abolished in Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein. Berlin, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Baden-Württemberg plan to lift it by the beginning of next month at the latest.
After February 2nd, the mask requirement only applies in clinics, nursing homes, medical practices and other health facilities.