No end for the corona mask requirement in public transport in Hesse

Created: 2022-11-17 2:16 p.m

By: Niklas Hecht

In Hesse there is no departure from the corona mask requirement in public transport for the time being.

To point this out, the VGF is distributing free masks at the Frankfurt Hauptwache.

Wiesbaden – Hessen adheres to the corona mask requirement in public transport.

Social Affairs Minister Kai Klose (Greens) said on Thursday in the Hessian state parliament in Wiesbaden that people sometimes come very close together on local buses and trains.

Mouth and nose protection offers good precautions against infection with the corona virus, but represents a relatively minor encroachment on people's fundamental rights. There is therefore no reason to change the existing mask requirement in public transport.

The opposition factions of the FDP and AfD, on the other hand, called for an end to the mask requirement on buses and trains in the Hessian local transport system.

The state government should rely on the personal responsibility of the citizens.

Members of the other parliamentary groups in the Hessian state parliament rejected this demand with clear words and pointed out, for example, that the corona numbers will increase again in the cold season.

There is no reason to waive the mask requirement on buses and trains.

© Monika Skolimowska/dpa

Hessen: Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt distributes free masks to draw attention to the obligation to wear masks

In line with the decision of the Hessian state parliament, the Frankfurt am Main transport company (VGF) distributed masks free of charge at the “Hauptwache” station on Thursday (November 17) to draw attention to the fact that masks are still compulsory in local public transport, as it announced.

The mouth and nose covers are provided with a friendly reminder to wear them on trains and buses, even if the regulation may not be popular.

The next check, be it tickets or masks, will definitely come, according to the VGF.

Violations of the mask requirement are punished by the VGF with a fine of 50 euros.

If “mask refusers” also do not have a valid ticket, the violations add up to 110 euros.

The obligation to wear a mask only applies to public transport.

Outside, at the stations or platforms, no masks have to be worn.

(nhe/dpa)

In addition to the mask requirement, there is further need for discussion regarding public transport in Hesse: The 49-euro ticket seems to be a simple solution to many problems.

In Frankfurt, however, there is growing concern that public transport is not sufficient.