Details on how the people of Germany will live next winter emerged after the German Bundestag approved on September 8 the proposal of the Ministry of Health “On the application of new measures to combat COVID-19”.
The new decree, which the Bundestag voted for, will enter into force on October 1 and will be valid until April 7, 2023.
The adopted package of requirements is designed to prepare and also protect Germany from the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the cold months of the year.
In accordance with the new rules, from October 1, all citizens over the age of 14 will be required to wear an FFP2 mask on long-distance trains . Children between the ages of six and 13 will also be required to wear a face mask on long-distance trains.
In airplanes and airports, the situation is different. Wearing masks on both domestic and international flights is optional. However, as follows from the text of the document, this rule may change if the number of cases of COVID-19 infection increases.
From October 1, the rules for combating coronavirus in hospitals and nursing homes will also be tightened. As soon as All employees and visitors to medical facilities must wear FFP2 masks. In addition, visitors must also provide a negative rapid test, and staff are going to be tested three times a week.
The above rules will apply throughout the country, and the federal states have the right to introduce additional requirements individually depending from the situation on the ground. This applies to the wearing of masks in transport and other public places, as well as in secondary schools. In addition, they will also be able to conduct testing in schools and kindergartens.
It is separately indicated that exceptions are possible for certain categories of citizens. Thus, those who have recently been vaccinated or have been ill, as well as those who have passed a negative test, may be exempted from wearing masks.