Less mask and more 3G: Rhineland-Palatinate relaxes rules

Created: 03/02/2022Updated: 03/02/2022 16:24

A surgical mask lies on a pencil case in a classroom.

© Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa/Symbolbild

The situation in the hospitals allows for a significant relaxation of the corona restrictions.

This also includes the obligation to wear a mask.

As a precaution, the schools in Rhineland-Palatinate have to wait a little longer after the winter holidays.

Mainz – Rhineland-Palatinate will relax the corona protection measures significantly from Friday.

"We are taking the second big step towards normality," said Health Minister Clemens Hoch (SPD) on Tuesday in Mainz.

With the 31st Corona Control Ordinance, a new isolation ordinance will also come into force, which will make life easier for children and young people in particular.

At the schools, however, everything will remain as before until March 14th.

"In most areas of social life, the 3G rule applies from Friday," said Hoch.

So: vaccinated, recovered or tested.

“The 2G rule only applies to events with more than 2000 participants.” Clubs and discotheques are even stricter: They have been allowed to reopen for the first time since December 23, 2021, but only under the 2G plus rule.

An overview:

Mask requirement:

Whenever the vaccination status or a test is checked, the mask can be omitted - but it is still recommended.

The mask is still mandatory in non-controlled indoor areas such as when shopping or in authorities.

Quarantine/isolation:

Minors no longer have to be in quarantine as contact persons of infected people.

The so-called separation obligation only applies to children and young people if they themselves are infected with the corona virus.

Compulsory testing for children and young people:

They no longer have to be tested for the virus during leisure activities.

Exceptions are large events with more than 2000 participants for non-immunized boys and girls.

Schools:

Due to the protection period after the winter holidays, schools will not be required to wear masks in physical education and music lessons for all grades until March 14th.

At the primary and special schools, a mask no longer has to be worn in the square - but in the building.

It is only tested twice a week and no longer three times a week without a reason.

After cases of infection, the previous regulation (five times testing) remains.

The series of tests are voluntary for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.

The extended leave of absence option for all-day primary and special schools is no longer available.

From March 21, the mask will probably no longer have to be worn in all schools.

"This means that unrestricted all-day school operations are possible again," said Minister of Education Stefanie Hubig (SPD).

Day care centers:

For the time being, the current regulations will remain in place for day care centers.

“We are also monitoring the situation there very closely,” promised Hubig.

Gastronomy and hotels:

The 3G access rule now applies again: vaccinated, recovered or tested (previously 2G plus).

The mask requirement only applies to pick-up situations, hygiene concepts no longer have to be maintained.

Sports:

Outside and inside, 3G is now valid again - also in pools, thermal baths and saunas.

The limitation to half of the usual maximum number of visitors is no longer applicable.

Culture:

3G also applies to museums, theatres, cinemas, rehearsals and performances of popular and amateur culture and other cultural institutions.

Leisure:

3G applies to leisure and climbing parks, mini golf courses and zoos.

No masks have to be worn.

The limitation of visitors to half no longer applies.

Services:

For services that are not close to the body, the following applies to customers: keep your distance and wear a mask.

For body-related services such as hairdressers, 3G applies again (instead of the previous 2G).

Customers and service providers must wear masks when possible.

3G (previously 2G plus) is also a prerequisite for prostitution.

Events:

3G applies to up to 2000 participants.

The mask is mandatory from 250 people if no fixed seats are taken.

It does not apply to fixed seats and when eating and drinking.

2G applies to events with more than 2000 people.

An exception are non-immunized minors, who then need a current test.

Upper limits for events:

With more than 2000 people in closed rooms, a maximum of 60 percent of the seats may be used and there may not be more than 6000 people in total.

With more than 2000 people, the following applies outside: 75 percent of the space capacity and a maximum of 25,000 people.

European border area: In the border area of ​​Rhineland-Palatinate, Luxembourg, Belgium and France, things will be largely back to normal as of this Thursday when it comes to commuting and driving back and forth, said Hoch.

The reason: The countries are removed from the list of high-risk areas.

Of course, the respective corona rules would have to be observed.

more on the subject

Relaxation of masks and access rules in Saarland

Country prefers relaxation: Kretschmann against carnival parades

Dreyer expects a return “to a lot of normality”

Worship services:

There is no mandatory test here.

Masks are still compulsory except for clergy, lecturers, prayer leaders, cantors, singers and musicians.

dpa