Mask requirement in Bavaria falls: Entrepreneurs concerned - "delicate matter"
Created: 03/30/2022, 14:46
By: Felicitas Bogner
In Karl Weber's butcher's shop in Lenggries, nothing will change in the mask requirement for the time being.
He is exercising his domiciliary rights and insisting his customers continue to wear FFP2 masks when shopping.
© arp
In most areas in Bavaria, masks will no longer be compulsory from Sunday.
Many business operators have a queasy feeling about the relaxation of the corona virus.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
– Go shopping without an FFP2 mask, sip a cappuccino at the hairdresser’s, sing along happily in the service and no longer have to disclose the vaccination status in the restaurant: what sounds liberating in theory leaves some business people, cultural organizers and pastors with them gnash your teeth.
They consider the lifting of the mask requirement in many areas to be premature in view of the infection process.
Mask requirement in Bavaria falls: butcher uses domiciliary rights - "numbers for easing far too high"
Karl Weber, owner of the butcher shop of the same name in Lenggries, makes use of his domiciliary rights.
“Anyone who shops with us must continue to put on an FFP2 mask.
Our staff will also wear medical masks in sales,” he says.
“The numbers are currently far too high for me for this easing.
That's why I want to protect my employees and customers," explains Weber.
He is not afraid of a lack of understanding from his customers.
"I think most will understand it." And anyway: "You can never please everyone anyway." Weber himself had to close his shop for 14 days at the beginning of the pandemic due to a corona outbreak.
"Once you've gone through such a failure, you know why you remain careful." For the time being, the mask requirement in his butcher's shop should apply until Easter.
"After that we have company holidays and then you will see how the incidences are."
Corona loosening: Edeka boss skeptical – “I have great concerns”
Kaspar March, owner of the Edeka branches in Tölz, Lenggries, Benediktbeuern and Ascholding, is also skeptical about the decision.
"I have great concerns." After all, his staff is particularly exposed to the risk of infection.
"I would like customers to continue to wear masks," he says.
By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Bad Tölz newsletter.
He does not want to enforce a corresponding special regulation.
“I go along with the steps that are given.
If I were to make masks compulsory in my shops, everything would have to be checked," he says.
"So I'm hoping for reason."
Masks are currently still compulsory in Edeka March in Tölz.
Both for customers and for employees - like here Sara Honkomp at the checkout.
On Monday, customers can do without the masks.
© arp
Star chef Erich Schwingshackl decided to do something similar for his Tölzer restaurant.
"Service staff will continue to wear masks indoors," he says.
He leaves the decision to the guests and the employees in the outdoor area to themselves. "We have kept the tables wide apart and are maintaining the hygiene standards with disinfectant dispensers in the entrance area and the like."
New corona rules in Bavaria: Gastro staff are at risk of infection
In general, he can imagine that some will continue to put on the mask.
"You got used to it after two years," says Schwingshackl.
But he also emphasizes: "For the guests who are disturbed by the mask, it is of course a relief."
Remzo Kukuruzovic, owner of the "Metzgerbräu" in Tölz, says: "After Easter you will see from the infection numbers what that will lead to." In general, he also lets his guests choose whether to wear a mask.
His service staff will continue to use masks to protect against corona infection.
"You should have waited a little longer with this relaxation," he says.
Because worse than the mask requirement is another lockdown for him.
Corona has already damaged his restaurant.
“I have reduced my opening hours since the pandemic began.
In the afternoon, for example, there is hardly anything going on.”
New corona resolutions: hairdresser worried - "very delicate"
Sabine Sziedat, owner of the hairdressing salon "Hairgricht" in Benediktbeur, describes the decision as a "very delicate matter".
"Maybe they'll change it for here," she says cautiously.
"In general, of course, I'm happy for my customers if they can take off the masks." This also has added value when cutting hair.
"You can see the face better and know where to put the parting.
In addition, it is nice to be able to offer coffee again and no longer have to look at the evidence.
"It was uncomfortable because health data is none of my business." But despite all the advantages: "I am surprised by the current figures about this decision and think the time is too early." Therefore, she will continue to work with the FFP2 mask.
“ This also applies to my employees, although they all do it voluntarily.
I don't want to force anyone and I'm very happy with the consensus."
Corona loosening: cultural organizers hardly sell tickets
Sabine Pfister, who organizes events with "KleinKunst und Kultur" (KKK), sees both positive and negative aspects.
"Ticket sales are catastrophic," reports the Lenggrieserin.
"This is probably also due to the fact that many are still cautious," speculates Pfister.
"Since the upper limit for occupancy was opened, we have not had to face the embarrassment of holding events in front of sold-out halls," she reports.
Although she hopes that those who have only stayed away because of the mask requirement or the 3G rule will come back, but: “How large this proportion really is remains to be seen.” In general, Pfister is also concerned about the number of corona cases Consider how the fall of the masks will play out.
"I think that many voluntarily continue to play it safe and leave the mask on."
Worship service without a mask: Pastor Leo Sobik - "I have very serious doubts"
The Wackersberg pastor Leo Sobik also has mixed feelings about the idea that all churchgoers will again be able to sit in the service without masks in the future.
Although he finds wearing a mask in some situations, such as giving communion, strange, it is safer due to the Covid situation.
The current decision would bring a more normal feeling to the churches.
But: “I have very serious doubts as to whether this is the right time for this.
The mutations are increasing and too many people are currently sick," says the pastor.
"I remain very cautious in my private life, despite the booster vaccination."
You can find even more current news from the region around at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.