Enlarge image
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, school lessons will in future also be possible without a mask (symbol image)
Photo:
Gregor Fischer / dpa
Schoolchildren in northeast Germany will no longer have to wear mouth and nose protection in school lessons.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will suspend the mask requirement in class from this Wednesday.
Face masks are still required in the hallways in the school building and in the teachers' room, as reported by the Ministry of Education in Schwerin.
In the first two weeks of school after the summer vacation, pupils and teachers have to put on the masks again for a limited time.
Education Minister Bettina Martin (SPD) justifies this with the risks that can arise from those who return to travel.
The aim is to secure daily classroom attendance in the new school year in the long term.
Thereafter, the mask requirement should be waived again if the seven-day incidence is below 50.
"We are making good progress," said Martin.
»Schoolchildren actively helped to fight the virus and thus made a major contribution to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's position with its incidence figures better than any other federal state.
You deserve to see more normalcy return to schools. "
Saxony also allows school trips
In Saxony, too, schoolchildren and teachers do not have to wear mouth and nose protection in the school building if the seven-day incidence is stable below 35.
However, wearing an FFP2 mask or medical mask is still recommended.
School trips in Germany will also be possible again from next week, provided the school in question is in regular operation.
"I consider the easing steps not only to be responsible, but also imperative," said Minister of Education Christian Piwarz (CDU).
Children and young people would have suffered a lot from the lockdown.
"That has to be over now."
Bavaria announces easing
Bavaria's Minister of Culture Michael Piazolo (Free Voters) announced on Bayerischer Rundfunk that the mask requirement would soon be relaxed in the Free State as well.
His ministry is currently working on appropriate proposals and advising the Ministry of Health, Piazolo tells the BR.
Facilitation also for graduation ceremonies
more on the subject
Protection against the spread of corona: Karliczek wants more air filters for schools
New corona study: Children really are so contagiousBy Rafaela von Bredow
»Action program catching up after Corona«: 200,000 teachers, urgently wantedBy Silke Fokken and Armin Himmelrath
For the school graduation celebrations that are on the program in the coming weeks, there are relief in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Up to 600 people can come together outside and up to 200 people inside to hand over certificates or leave school.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the lowest corona seven-day incidence of all federal states, it was 8.7 at the beginning of the week.
olb / dpa
