FFP2 mask requirement on long-distance trains – cabinet decides on stricter corona rules
Lauterbach and Buschmann defend the new version of the Infection Protection Act
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) have defended the stricter corona rules planned for autumn. “We have to prepare for a situation that can presumably occur in autumn/winter,” said Buschmann.
The federal cabinet has decided on the new corona protection rules for autumn and winter. A nationwide FFP2 mask requirement should apply on long-distance trains and planes. The heavily criticized exception to the indoor mask requirement for recently vaccinated and genesis has been changed.
DThe federal government has once again launched stricter state intervention options for an expected corona wave in autumn and winter. “I expect a clear corona wave in autumn,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) on Wednesday when the plans were presented.
Lauterbach emphasized: “With this set of tools, we can deal with the foreseeable corona wave in the fall.” The federal states would have every opportunity to react appropriately. It remains the goal of Corona policy to avoid high death rates, many lost work days and serious long-term consequences.
The plans approved by the cabinet on Wednesday include: a nationwide FFP2 mask requirement in airplanes and long-distance trains before. Children between the ages of 6 and 14 and staff should also be able to wear medical masks. In clinics and nursing homes, a mask requirement should apply nationwide, where you should also have to prove a negative corona test before entering.
Controversial rule has been changed
The countries should be given the opportunity, depending on the corona infection situation in two steps respond to the development of the pandemic. Further protection requirements can be imposed from October 1st to April 7th. Include in the first tier Mask Obligations in Local buses and trains and other publicly accessible ones indoors as well as in restaurants and cafes.
Criticism of the original plans of the traffic light coalition was primarily sparked by the plan to eliminate the obligation to wear a mask indoors for people who are fully vaccinated and whose last vaccination was less than three months ago. Critics complained that this could be understood as an invitation to people to be vaccinated every three months.
The coalition has now converted this into a “can” regulation: the states do not necessarily have to implement it. The “can” exception should therefore also apply in the case of people who have recovered. Lauterbach said he assumes countries will use the rule.
If a strong corona wave builds up, the mask requirement applies without exception. In this second stage countries can too minimum distance rulesone Mask requirement for outdoor events as well as one participant cap for indoor events.
lockdowns and school closures shouldn’t exist. However, the countries should be able to order tests. In schools, masks should be made compulsory for children from the fifth grade onwards if face-to-face teaching cannot otherwise be maintained. A lot was expected of schoolchildren during the pandemic, said Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP).
New post in nursing homes
The planned rules are based on a concept from Health Minister Lauterbach and Justice Minister Buschmann at the beginning of August. The draft approved by the cabinet is now going to the Bundestag and could be decided there on September 8th. The Federal Council then has to agree.
Newly provided are special payments of 1000 euros per month for that nursing homes future officers need to rename that around Vaccinations, hygiene and medicinal therapies for infected people, for example with the drug Paxlovid. The facilities should get 250 euros per month for the effort – for employees who take on the tasks alone or in a team, there should be a total of 750 euros.
The corona provisions in the Infection Protection Act were severely reduced in the spring. General mask requirements when shopping or for events and access rules such as 2G and 3G were eliminated.
Discussion about mask requirement in airplanes
About the Mask requirement on airplanes there are already discussions in the coalition. The background is the trip to Canada by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens). Images from on board the government plane on the outward flight had caused a stir. It showed Habeck and journalists sitting close together without masks. According to a government spokesman, there is no obligation to wear a mask on Air Force flights. All participants of the trip must present a current negative PCR test before departure. In general, according to the existing Infection Protection Act, masks are compulsory for aircraft.
The FDP now wants to negotiate relaxation of the protection rules for aircraft. Group leader Christian Dürr made this clear in the “Spiegel” and in the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. Against the background of the Air Force flight, he asked: “Shouldn’t there also be test exceptions on commercial flights, for example? And what about European uniformity?”
The Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry criticized a planned tightening of the mask requirement – according to this, FFP2 masks should be mandatory in the future, so far FFP2 masks or other medical surgical masks have been specified. Managing Director Matthias von Randow said to the “Bild” newspaper (Wednesday): “We do not consider a tightening of the mask requirement to be proportionate and incomprehensible.” Since it does not exist in any other European country, it is “already difficult to convey today “. The industry has long been calling for an end to the mask requirement on board.
With a view to criticism of the government flight without masks in the ZDF morning magazine, Buschmann said: “I can understand the outrage.” above”. “So it would of course be politically wiser not to make use of such exceptions, if they exist.”