Starnberg weekly market protects itself against the virus - There are also positive effects of the crisis

Mask requirement at the Starnberg weekly market: How do dealers and customers cope with it? We asked around - on both sides of the market stalls.

Starnberg - "You are by far the best customers" is written on a sign in front of the Ziegler farm stand at the Starnberg weekly market. And stand owners don't just value the safety distance. Since this week, mouth and nose protection has also become part of their everyday life - the mask requirement also applies to weekly markets.

The stand operators in Starnberg also take the rules with humor, as the sign shows.

"I was not surprised that we had to wear masks on the market," says Norbert Ziegler. He has been running a stand on the Starnberg weekly market with his farm for 30 years. Ziegler sells fresh vegetables, strawberries, jams or asparagus from our own cultivation. He has been wearing his mask since 7 a.m. "The mouthguard bothers me," he says. “There are communication problems as a result. We often have to ask what customers want. You don't see the facial expressions when you speak, and it's pretty warm. ”

Masks, disinfection and distance markings on the market

In addition, Ziegler has to change his mouthguard regularly. "I am already wearing the third mask today," he says. He provides a pack of 100 masks for his employees. In addition, he disinfects the car and cash register every half an hour. Distance markings are painted on the floor. "If customers do not adhere to the distance regulations, we will give them a red card," says Ziegler. This red card is a sign with a friendly warning, which is held up if necessary. "It works better than a spoken warning," said Ziegler.

Positive: "People are more relaxed at the weekly market"

However, he rarely needs this red card, because most of them adhere to both the mask requirement and the safety distance. Ziegler even sees something positive: “Since the distance regulations have been in place, people have been much more relaxed. Nobody jostles when queuing. And because people cook a lot at home, they also buy a lot more at the market. ”

This also applies to Leander Kaiser. The 58-year-old is a music teacher at the Starnberg Music School and bought a large basket of celery from Ziegler. "We use it to make celery juice," he explains. "That strengthens health." Kaiser wears his mask in his jacket pocket instead of on the mouth and nose. "With a mask, I can hardly breathe and my glasses fog up. I asked and it was said that only market sellers had to wear a face mask, ”he explains.

Weekly market: customers doubt the functionality of the masks

He is addressing a question that many market visitors ask themselves: Does the mouthguard obligation only apply to sellers or buyers at weekly markets? The stand owners do not have a uniform answer - according to the rules of the Free State, the duty obviously applies to both, but there are also deviations, for example in Munich - as long as the stands are outdoors. In addition, many customers have doubts about the functionality of the masks: "I am not sure whether a mask requirement will stop the spread," says Kaiser. "I definitely hope that the sun's rays will soon contain the virus."

Pöckinger Gisela Neuwald, 78, has been visiting the Starnberg weekly market for many years. She also wants more information: "I'm not sure whether these simple masks really protect my counterpart," she explains her doubts. "If we had professional masks, it would be something else again."

Starnberg weekly market: individual masks for employees

The market spokesman for the weekly market, Benedikt Reeh, on the other hand, sees a sense in the obligation to wear a mask. Since the weekly market has existed, he has had a stand on the church square with his “Fisch und Feinkost Reeh” company. “If all customers were to be protected, the risk for us sellers would also be lower,” he says. "But in the end everyone has to make up their own mind." In general, he gets along well with his protective mask. "It's restrictive, but you get used to it," he says.

He offers various masks against monotony: white, colorful, thin or checkered? His employees can decide for themselves. "In total, I provide 700 masks for operation," says Reeh. He also did something about his foggy glasses: "I bought a spray for my glasses."

Vanessa Lange