Many infection protection regulations will no longer apply as of March 20, but companies can issue their own corona rules.
Dusseldorf Incidences far beyond 1500, again and again highs in new infections: The corona pandemic simply does not come to rest in Germany. Nevertheless, from March 20th, many regulations for infection protection are to be abolished – also in companies.
One thing is certain: there will no longer be uniform regulations in Germany’s companies from March 20th. In the future, companies should decide for themselves which protective measures they use to contain the corona virus in the workplace – and which not. In their assessment, companies should not only carry out an individual risk analysis but also take into account the regional occurrence of infection. The cabinet approved a corresponding regulation from the Federal Ministry of Labor in the middle of the week.
Corona rules in the workplace: companies can decide for themselves
This leaves it up to companies whether they continue to implement so-called basic protective measures such as wearing a mask indoors. The obligation to work from home and 3G at work will also no longer apply from March 20th. This means that employers no longer have to check whether their employees have been vaccinated, have recovered or have currently tested negative.
However, you can continue to offer and establish rules such as 3G or home office if the situation in the company and the regional incidence make it necessary. The new, looser regulations will initially apply until May 25th.
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Read more: Home office, mask requirement, 3G: Which measures will apply after March 20th
So much for the theory – but what will the practice look like? In fact, the first federal states have announced that they want to keep 3G, 2G and 2G-Plus in public life. This transition phase is to apply in many countries until April 2nd. Then the situation could be reassessed.
In everyday life, this means that employees may still need a test, vaccination or recovery certificate to visit a workplace. In view of the high incidences, many companies will probably end up sticking to the so-called AHA+L rule as basic protection.
AHA+L stands for:
- Distance: at least 1.5 meters
- Hygiene: washing your hands regularly, and coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm
- Everyday mask: Surgical masks or FFP2 should continue to be the standard
- Airing: especially in interiors used by several people
Corona rules in the office: Masks and corona tests will probably continue to be mandatory
Large companies in particular will certainly continue to provide their employees with free tests. So far, companies have had to offer at least two tests per week. According to the new regulation, there is the possibility of one test per week.
As with any legal regulation, the new Covid Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance also means that companies can voluntarily exceed the legal requirements and stick to their previous concepts, for example. In the end, many companies will probably stick to their hygiene concepts for the transitional period until the infection process eases.
Nevertheless, small companies in particular, for which the measures also meant bureaucratic effort, should be happy about the new flexibility.
Despite all the easing, one point is still mandatory: employers must allow their employees to be vaccinated against the corona virus during working hours even after March 20th. To date, almost 50 million people in Germany have received a booster vaccination.
More: Federal government wants companies to decide for themselves on corona measures