New Infection Protection Act: With a mask and tests through the Corona winter

It’s autumn outside and the corona numbers are rising again. Certain protective measures, such as mask and test requirements, apply again for autumn and winter. The countries agreed to the Corona rules – despite criticism.

The Federal Council has cleared the way for the new Infection Protection Act. The majority of the state chamber voted in favor of the corona measures planned from October 1st. Without the consent, all protection rules would have expired on September 23. The Bundestag had already decided on the change last week with the votes of the SPD, FDP and Greens.

“We have to have the situation under control,” said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) in the Bundesrat. It is unclear how the pandemic will develop. From the federal states, for example from Thuringia, there was criticism of the new law in the run-up to the vote.

According to the new Infection Protection Act, the federal government is only responsible for basic protection. Most of the decisions are made by the states. The measures at a glance:

Uniform federal rules

The obligation to wear a FFP2 mask will apply in future to long-distance public transport, to patients in medical practices, dental practices, dialysis facilities and other healthcare facilities. The mask requirement on flights will be abolished.

A mask and Test evidence obligation Applies to access to hospitals as well as full and semi-inpatient care facilities and comparable facilities as well as to employees of outpatient care services – as well as to service providers who provide comparable services.

What the countries can decide

In view of the expected new wave of infections, countries can set further regulations to protect healthcare or other important areas. This also includes the Masks are compulsory in local public transport and generally in publicly accessible indoor areas. It is expected that masks will remain compulsory in public transport.

When masks are compulsory in certain areas exceptions are valid. Anyone who can present a current negative test does not have to wear a mask: This generally applies to leisure, cultural and sporting events or corresponding facilities as well as to gastronomy. Anyone can also be exempted from the mask requirement freshly recovered or a final one no more than three months ago Corona vaccination had received. However, the countries can decide for themselves whether they want to apply these exceptions or not.

The federal states can also make masks compulsory in schools and other training institutions for employees and schoolchildren from the fifth grade waived if this is necessary to maintain regulated face-to-face teaching. The countries can also order one test obligation in certain community facilities – such as accommodation for asylum seekers, detention centers, children’s homes as well as schools and day-care centers.

When the situation worsens

The federal states can prescribe additional, tougher measures in dangerous situations by parliamentary resolution – namely when they pose a concrete danger to the functioning of the healthcare system or the other critical infrastructure such as the energy supply or the police see. These measures are primarily based on stricter mask requirements. In this way, mask requirements can also be ordered in outdoor areas if there is a Minimum distance of 1.5 meters cannot be complied with. Then the exceptions for vaccinated, recovered and tested will no longer apply.

Can then also be arranged person limits for indoor events and mandatory hygiene concepts with further requirements, for example for ventilation. A minimum distance of 1.5 meters can also be stipulated in general. However, there are no provisions for such an aggravated situation lockdowns or business closures.

Corona officers in nursing homes

Nursing homes should be required officers to name those who take care of vaccination, hygiene, testing and corona drug therapy. The homes themselves receive 250 euros a month for this. In addition, there is a total of 750 euros per home for those who take care of these tasks.

Corona suspicion in school children

If there is a suspicion of a corona infection in a school child, in future, unlike previously, no medical certificate will have to be presented in order to be able to go to school again. It’s enough antigen self-test.

children’s sick days

If parents have to stay at home because a child is ill, those with statutory health insurance will continue to receive additional children’s sick days until the end of 2023. There are 30 working days per parent per child. Single parents get 60 working days.

The measures should apply until April 7 next year.