Initiative for the end of the mask requirement in local transport

Created: 11/24/2022, 12:41 p.m

Maike Schaefer (Greens), Chairwoman of the Conference of Transport Ministers and Senator in Bremen, speaks.

© Sina Schuldt/dpa

In the debate about the Corona protection rules, there is an initiative from the federal states for a coordinated end to the mask requirement in local public transport.

The chairwoman of the transport ministers, Bremen's Senator Maike Schaefer (Greens), said on Thursday at the request of the German Press Agency: "My goal is for the federal states to agree on a uniform approach here."

Berlin/Bremen - For a special conference of department heads this Tuesday, Bremen, as the presiding state, submitted the application to abolish the obligation to wear masks in public transport nationwide for the introduction of the planned "Germany ticket" at the beginning of March.

“However, this must be subject to the condition that the pandemic situation allows it.”

The countries can decide for themselves whether masks are compulsory on buses and trains in local transport.

For long-distance trains and long-distance buses, on the other hand, according to the Infection Protection Act, an FFP2 mask requirement is stipulated nationwide until April 7, 2023.

A push for an end to the obligation in public transport has already come from Schleswig-Holstein - with a view to the turn of the year.

A nationwide usable "Deutschlandticket" with an introductory price of 49 euros per month is to come in the new year and build on the popular 9-euro tickets from the summer.

The exact start date is open.

dpa