Status: 05/12/2022 4:27 p.m
Air travelers in the EU will soon no longer have to wear masks – unless the respective country requires it. Federal Transport Minister Wissing is in favor of an end to the obligation for all public transport in Germany.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has spoken out in favor of an end to the corona mask requirement in public transport. The FDP politician explained that after the EU decision against continuing the general obligation to wear masks in air traffic, there was an “urgent need for adjustment” in Germany. The minister said:
We should take a uniform approach across Europe and lift the mask requirement, especially in air travel.
Wissing also spoke out in favor of lifting the mask requirement on buses and trains. In local transport with buses and trains, there is currently still a mask requirement, which is ordered by the federal states.
Infection Protection Act would have to be changed
With the statement, Wissing referred to the easing of the mask requirement in air traffic by the EU health authority ECDC and the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA. From Monday, these will no longer require air travelers to wear a mask.
But: The recommendation of the EU authorities depends on the implementation in national law. If there is a state mask requirement in public transport at the point of departure or at the destination, this should continue to apply on board the machines according to the recommendation.
This means that if Germany does not overturn the mask requirement for public transport, air travelers must continue to wear masks on flights with German airlines and at German airports. In order to lift the mask requirement in these places, the Infection Protection Act would have to be amended accordingly. It is currently valid until September 23.
Aviation industry for abolition
The German aviation industry has already spoken out in favor of abolishing the mask requirement for Germany. Lufthansa emphasized that highly efficient filters constantly clean the cabin air in aircraft. Therefore, one wants to leave the decision to the travelers whether they want to wear a mask or not.
It is time to rely on voluntariness, as is now the norm in other areas of daily life, such as in the supermarket or restaurant.
“More and more people without masks on the road”
The Association of Transport Companies also supported this assessment. “We have been seeing full football stadiums, concerts and events without masks for months. And more and more people are out and about in restaurants, shopping centers and supermarkets without masks,” said general manager Oliver Wolff. Nevertheless, the number of infections fell.
From the point of view of the bus and train companies, there is therefore no longer any reason to adhere to the mask requirement in local or long-distance transport. Especially in local transport, the average stay in the vehicle is rather short compared to a shopping spree in a shopping center or dinner in a restaurant.
Federal Ministry of Health adheres to duty
The Federal Ministry of Health explained that the national authorities decide on the mask requirement – and will continue to adhere to it for the time being. As usual, children under the age of six are excluded.
The obligation to wear masks in means of transport was retained in the Infection Protection Act, also with a view to the fact that buses and trains are usually very full at peak times during rush-hour traffic.