From Monday, an FFP2 mask is required in shops and in local public transport.
After loud protests, the state government is now announcing free masks for those in need.
For better protection against Corona *, an FFP2 mask is mandatory in public transport and retailers in Bavaria from Monday (January 18).
After the announcement, there was a big run on the pharmacies.
Basically there are enough FFP2 masks in Bavaria.
Munich
- In the
Marien-Apotheke in Munich
, the rush on Wednesday (January 13th) was clearly noticeable.
“I would say we have about a third more customers,” said pharmacist Ann-Kathrin Bruhns.
Particularly in demand:
FFP2 masks
, because you will need them in the S-Bahn and supermarket from next week.
So there is a lot to do for the employees of the
Marien-Apotheke
.
But the
masks
didn't run out.
Bruhns said: "We still have thousands of very good quality masks in stock."
FFP2 mask requirement in Bavaria: State government promises free masks for those in need
As of Monday,
an
FFP2 mask is required
in public transport and when shopping
in
Bavaria
.
The state government argues that this offers more protection in a confined space.
But after Tuesday's announcement, there was criticism from the social organizations: With prices fluctuating between two and six euros per
FFP2 mask *,
the state government must support the population - at least the poorest in society.
And so the cabinet readjusted yesterday.
Prime Minister
Markus Söder
(CSU) announced 2.5 million free masks (
FFP2
or comparable protection against Corona *) for everyone who is considered to be in need according to social legislation.
For example, for people who fall under the basic security or receive Hartz IV.
The
cities and districts that have the data on those in need are responsible for
distributing the
masks
.
"Nobody has to come out as needy and
go
to the
pharmacy
,
for example
," emphasized district council chief Christian Bernreiter.
Distribution by post is planned.
Initially there should be
five masks
per person.
FFP2 mask requirements in Bavaria: children under 15 years of age excluded
Children under 15 years of age are excluded from the new regulation on the recommendation of doctors.
Employees are also
exempt
from the
FFP2 obligation
.
Health Minister
Klaus Holetschek
(CSU)
said that the staff could keep their distance better than the customers at the checkout
.
Another reason may be that
FFP2 masks
without a breathing valve may not be worn for longer than 75 minutes without a break under labor law.
+
Sometimes long queues formed in front of the pharmacies like here in Munich.
© Achim Frank Schmidt
Economics Minister
Hubert Aiwanger
(FW) expressed his confidence that sufficient
masks
are available
for the population
: "There may be short bottlenecks, but that will normalize quickly." In some shops and online shops, the
masks were
sold out on Wednesday, a however, there was no sign of a fundamental bottleneck.
"The stocks of
FFP2 masks
are good," said a spokesman for the Bavarian Pharmacists' Association.
Bettina Rath, spokeswoman for DG Medicare GmbH, which
manufactures
FFP2 masks
in Moorenweis near Fürstenfeldbruck
, also said: “We are currently producing five million masks a month.” It will soon be expanded - to 15 million masks per month.
Corona: FFP2 masks are actually a single-use product, but can sometimes be used more often
Experts consider the
FFP2 mask requirement
to be useful, but only if the
masks
are worn correctly.
"The
mask
must fit tightly, the ligaments should be tight," said Prof. Franz-Xaver Reichl, microbiologist at LMU Munich.
In addition, if
possible
, you
should not touch
the
mask by
the filter, only by the straps.
Beard wearers are at a disadvantage, because with them it can sometimes be difficult that the
mask fits
really tightly.
The
FFP2 mask
is basically a
single-use
product, emphasized Reichl.
However, that does not mean that you have to throw them away immediately after each visit to the supermarket.
“It depends on how
long
it is worn and how moisturized it is.” If the
mask
is only used for a short period of time - for shopping or for a trip to the subway - and remains dry, then it can safely be used for several days or a week will.
If the
mask
becomes
damp, Reichl recommends hanging it up to dry at home.
But be careful: it should not be placed in UV light, in the washing machine or dishwasher, nor in the microwave or oven.
"Temperatures above 60 degrees damage the fleece and destroy the structure of the
mask,
" said Reichl.
And even by
FFP2 standards
, not all masks are the same: When buying, you should
pay attention
to the
CE mark
.
Behind it is a four-digit number.
According to Reichl, the best protection is provided by masks that have been tested in the EU - many German masks have the test number 0158. Which
CE number stands
for which approval body can be found on the website of the EU Commission.
* Merkur.de is part of the Ippen-Digital network.
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List of rubric lists: © Achim Frank Schmidt