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Mask wearers in Frankfurt
Photo: imago images/brennweiteffm
The mask requirement on public transport is one of the last remnants of the corona protection measures.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) now wants to abolish them too - previously EU authorities had relaxed their recommendations for a general mask requirement on airplanes.
"We should take a uniform approach here across Europe and lift the mask requirement, especially in air traffic," said the FDP politician.
However, he sees a further “need for adjustment” for the mask requirement on buses and trains.
The nationwide mask requirement on airplanes and long-distance trains is stipulated in the Infection Protection Act until September 23rd.
Masks are also compulsory in local transport with buses and trains, which are stipulated by the respective federal states.
The European aviation security agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC had announced that they would relax their recommendations for corona protection in aviation.
From Monday, a general recommendation to wear medical masks in airports and airplanes will no longer apply.
If there is a government obligation to wear masks in public transport at the point of departure or at the destination, this should also continue to apply in the aircraft, according to the recommendation.
Flying without masks?
Lufthansa demands voluntariness
Wissing finds support from Lufthansa, for example.
"It's time to rely on voluntariness, as is now the norm in other areas of daily life, such as in the supermarket or restaurant," the airline announced.
In aircraft, highly efficient filters constantly clean the cabin air.
The Federal Ministry of Health, headed by Karl Lauterbach (SPD), had explained with a view to the new recommendations from the EU authorities that the national authorities would decide on the mask requirement.
It therefore continues to apply to all domestic German routes and flights that take off or land in Germany.
Children under the age of six are exempt.
more on the subject
Communication from the aviation security agency EASA: EU authority lifts recommendation for masks to be worn on aircraft
The Association of Transport Companies also supported Wissing's assessment.
»We have been experiencing full football stadiums, concerts and events without masks for months.
And more and more people are walking around in restaurants, shopping centers and supermarkets without a mask," said general manager Oliver Wolff.
Nevertheless, the number of infections fell.
From the point of view of the bus and train companies, there is therefore no longer any reason to adhere to the mask requirement in local or long-distance transport.
The obligation to wear masks in means of transport was retained in the Infection Protection Act, also with a view to the fact that buses and trains are usually very full at peak times during rush-hour traffic.
General mask requirements for events or when shopping were abolished in large parts of Germany from the beginning of April.
Regardless of government regulations, there are many places, such as in cultural institutions, but further protection rules with mask requirements.
slue/dpa
