Corona measures in autumn: Minister of Justice Buschmann doubts the mask requirement

Created: 06/18/2022, 22:09

By: Felix Durach

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) has criticized the reintroduction of the mask requirement.

The debate in Berlin is gaining momentum.

Berlin – The discussions about reintroducing the obligation to wear masks in Germany continue to shape political events in Berlin.

As the world

wants to know from government circles

As with winter tires, masks would then have to be worn again between October and Easter.

Masks are currently only compulsory on public transport and in medical facilities.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) only partially confirmed the government's plans at the federal press conference on Friday.

"It is clear that we need more than summer tires," said the 59-year-old, with a view to the possible return of a mask requirement in autumn.

However, the health economist is already advising the population to wear masks indoors.

Corona virus: reintroduction of the mask requirement?

Minister of Justice Buschmann has doubts

However, critical voices against the reintroduction of a mask requirement are now also coming from the federal government.

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) expressed

doubts about the effectiveness of such a duty in an interview with the

“On June 30, the committee of independent experts will present its opinion with the evaluation of the measures taken so far.

We'll take a close look at that.

After that we will decide, ”explained the 44-year-old with a view to possible measures.

Marco Buschmann (FDP, l) is skeptical about the reintroduction of a mask requirement.

Karl Lauterbach (SPD) calls for new measures for the fall.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Privately, Buschmann and his wife would wear masks in the supermarket, the Minister of Justice explained.

He still has doubts about the introduction and effectiveness of an obligation.

“If the state wants to make masks mandatory, for example indoors, it has to be evidence-based and proportionate.

We will discuss whether this is the case when all the reports are available," the FDP man continued.

Montgomery counters Buschmann: Evidence for the sense of the mask requirement "overwhelming"

Criticism of Buschmann's representations was not long in coming on Saturday.

The chairman of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, clearly contradicted the Minister of Justice in an interview with the Funke media group.

The “scientific evidence on the sense of compulsory masks and vaccination” is “overwhelming”, according to Montgomery, with a view to Buschmann’s demand for evidence-based action.

Frank Ulrich Montgomery, head of the World Medical Association, contradicts Minister of Justice Buschmann.

© Guido Kirchner/dpa

It is also questionable whether the opinion of the Committee of Independent Experts referred to by the Minister of Justice can achieve the desired effect.

Stefan Huster, head of the Corona Advisory Council, warned

against the

"We will not provide a template for what politicians have to do in the fall," Huster clarified.

The statement is much more about asking questions about risk communication or a necessary adjustment to the Infection Protection Act.

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Mask requirement in Germany: ordeal for the traffic light coalition?

The question of the necessary and appropriate measures in autumn could therefore become a crucial test for the traffic light government before its first birthday - when the positions of the Minister of Health and Minister of Justice meet.

However, Green leader Omid Nouripour hopes for a common course within the coalition.

"I'm counting on us to take precautions together and prevent further lockdowns," said the 47-year-old on

.

Corona virus: summer wave in Germany – new infections are increasing again

Compromises and joint solutions may soon be necessary.

The number of new infections with the corona virus in Germany has increased again in recent weeks.

The Robert Koch Institute gave the seven-day incidence on Saturday as 445.1.

In the previous week, the index was still 348.9.

Experts assume a further increase in the numbers due to the more contagious omicron variant BA.5, which is now dominant in Germany.

In view of the developments, Karl Lauterbach spoke of a summer wave of the corona virus in Germany.

If this summer wave extends into autumn, discussions about new measures such as the obligation to wear masks could pick up speed again.