The end of the mask requirement in public transport: “It’s time to smile at each other again!”

See the video: Mixed reactions to the end of the mask requirement in public transport.

STORY: In local public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia, the corona-related mask requirement was ended on Wednesday. Passengers can now board the bus and train without a face mask. Masks were compulsory for almost three years. Without appropriate protection, passengers could be removed from local public transport. In Cologne, the reactions to the nationwide regulation are mixed. “No, I don’t wear a mask anymore, I’m really looking forward to it. I think now is the time. We have now gone through another phase with all the other viruses, flu, whatever. And I think it’s really time that we get used to each other again, that we smile at each other, that we look at each other, that we see who’s behind the mask, but that we can move freely again and in front especially boost our immune system. So that’s what it’s really about for me, that we gather our defenses here again and go into the future simply, robustly and strengthened.” “Yes, it’s still an unfamiliar feeling, especially now in rush hour traffic. I think if it were emptier, if I would take off the mask, I wouldn’t have a problem with it now. But at the moment it may still be the transition period to get used to it.” Matthias Pesch, spokesman for the Cologne Transport Authority (KVB), draws a positive balance on the mask requirement. “Of course, the mask requirement has been a very effective tool over the past three years to minimize the risk of infection on our buses and trains. And so we got through the pandemic well, overall. But it is of course a relief for our colleagues if the mask requirement is lifted today, because on the one hand they can concentrate on their actual tasks again, and the potential conflicts are eliminated. All in all, it has to be said that the discipline and acceptance among the passengers was very high throughout the pandemic period, most of whom wore the masks without hesitation.” The background to the omission of the mask requirement is a relaxed infection situation and a high level of immunization in the population. Anyone who wants to protect themselves in particular can of course continue to wear a mask voluntarily on buses and trains. Many other federal states had already ended the mask requirement. In long-distance traffic, it will be eliminated from February 2nd.

source site-3