Germany: from October, masks may be required again

(ANSA) - BERLIN, AUGUST 03 - To protect themselves from an autumn wave of Covid, from October the German Land will be able to impose a mask again in closed public spaces.

   This would apply in addition to the existing national obligation on trams, buses, trains, airplanes.

There will also be new mandatory masks and tests in hospitals and health care centers.

The latest draft for the infection protection law, announced jointly by the ministries of health and justice, provides for this.

The draft still has to be formalized by the government and then eventually approved by parliament.

The measures would come into effect from 1 October 2022 to 7 April 2023. Loriporta Dpa.

    The Land will be able to decide for themselves whether to insert the obligation to mask in specific public indoor areas, but on the occasion of cultural and sporting events and in restaurants there should be exceptions for people tested, vaccinated or recently recovered.

The Länder will also have the possibility to request the execution of tests in schools and kindergartens.

   However, the mask in the classes is not provided, except when another solution for live lessons is not possible, and in any case only starting from the fifth year of school.

In the event that the health system of a Land is in extreme difficulty, the state may also decide on the obligation of a mask for very crowded outdoor events.

(HANDLE).