Obi, Hornbach and Co.: That will change in February in hardware stores - many federal states are relaxing the rules

Created: 01/27/2022 13:01

By: Tom Offinger

A popular shopping spot even in Corona times: a Hornbach hardware store © picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild |

Sebastian Kahnert

Shopping in the hardware store during the corona pandemic is like a tightrope act.

Each state seems to have different rules.

What works, what doesn't work?

Munich – The corona virus continues to have Germany and public life under control.

Almost two years after the outbreak of the global pandemic, the different rules and regulations still cause a lot of confusion, especially when it comes to home improvement shopping.

After most of the tightening was announced at the turn of the year, the first federal states are daring to relax.

But what influence does this circumstance have on shopping in the local hardware store and what rules must be observed?

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Shopping in hardware stores: no 2G rule in Bavaria

"New regulations or fluctuating incidence values ​​can ensure that the situation in your market changes from one day to the next" - with this word the

DIY chain greets its customers on the website.

The saying could hardly be more appropriate, updated regulations are passed almost every week as part of a new Corona summit, which make shopping a real tightrope act.

In the Bavarian branches of

,

,

and Co., the controversial 2G rule for retail, which was previously overturned by the Administrative Court, has been officially axed since January 27, making it even easier to buy a bucket of paint or a light bulb will.

However, the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask applies in all DIY stores, as does the usual hygiene and distance regulations.

"This market is open to all customers in compliance with the usual rules but without mandatory G-rules," says the

DIY store in Munich-Haidhausen, for example.

Shopping in hardware stores: different countries, different rules

As during the entire corona pandemic, other regulations also apply in other federal states. In the neighboring states of Hesse and Baden-Württemberg, for example, the 2G rule applies in hardware stores, and customers without proof of vaccination or recovery have to stay outside. In North Rhine-Westphalia, too, unvaccinated people are currently not allowed in their local

or

.

In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, it is worth checking the current regulations on the shop's website in good time before making a purchase.

Many markets also offer a pick-up service: Customers can reserve the product they want and then pick it up without having to make a lot of contact. This service is often also offered to unvaccinated people, in which case the handover does not take place in the market but in the parking lot.

Next Corona Summit on February 16th

The decision regarding infection protection is the responsibility of the federal states.

As of January 27, the 2G rule still applies to shopping in hardware stores in Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

However, since many regulations expire in the first few weeks of February, this circumstance can also change relatively quickly.

The next changes can be expected at the latest after the next major Corona summit - on Wednesday, February 16th.

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