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Mask requirement in public transport ends: A reference to the corona measure is removed from the Rostock tram
Photo: Bernd Wüstneck / dpa
One of the last remaining corona measures has fallen.
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai has now claimed the long-controversial end of the mask requirement as a success for his party.
"If we hadn't pushed for it within the government, the early departure would not have happened despite the relaxed infection process and we would still have to sit on trains and buses with masks," said Djir-Sarai in Berlin.
His party has "a clear compass" and feels confirmed.
"Any restrictions on freedom must be proportionate and only be maintained for so long as absolutely necessary," he said.
Other actors were constantly switching back and forth between the caution team and the freedom team.
Djir-Sarai: »Germany has overcome the pandemic.
Now it is important to end the last state-imposed corona measures, such as the obligation to wear masks in medical practices.«
Public transport throughout Germany can be used again without a mask from Thursday.
It is not compulsory to wear it on long-distance buses and trains nationwide.
At the same time, the regulation will be repealed in the nine federal states in which it previously applied to regional transport.
The mask requirement was gradually introduced in public transport in the course of the corona pandemic in spring 2020.
At first, towels or scarves were enough, also because masks were scarce.
At the beginning of 2021, Bavaria was the first federal state to introduce an FFP2 mask requirement, which finally prevailed.
Originally, the obligation to wear ICEs or long-distance buses was only to expire in April.
However, the federal cabinet had recently repealed the rule laid down in the Infection Protection Act prematurely due to the easing of the corona situation.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) advises continuing to wear masks voluntarily.
In the health and care sector, some corona rules still apply: nationwide, visitors to hospitals, care facilities, medical and dental practices must continue to wear an FFP2 mask until April 7th, and a negative test is also required to enter clinics and care homes.
asc/dpa
