Further restrictions are also possible for regional “hotspots” beyond March 20th.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Despite many warnings about the still increasing number of infections, the first nationwide corona protection requirements will no longer apply this Sunday. 3G proof of being vaccinated, recovered or tested is no longer required for train travel with Deutsche Bahn, as has now been stipulated by law.
However, the mask requirement in local and long-distance public transport continues to apply. There is ongoing criticism from the federal states and municipalities of the traffic light coalition’s approach to only allowing significantly fewer comprehensive protection rules in everyday life in the future. In view of the large number of new infections, neighboring Austria is returning to the mask requirement indoors.
Train passengers can use the trains again from Sunday without 3G proof. The group is thus implementing the new requirements for infection protection, as a spokesman said at the request of the German Press Agency.
In long-distance and local trains, however, the obligation to wear FFP2 masks or medical masks still applies. In on-board catering, the 3G rule will also remain in place nationwide. The end of the 3G access rule for trains is one of the changes to the Infection Protection Act that the Bundestag sealed on Friday.
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The new regulations implemented by the traffic light coalition continue to meet with widespread criticism. In order to control the pandemic, the federal states are still able to set a few general requirements for masks and tests in facilities for vulnerable groups such as clinics and nursing homes. However, further restrictions are possible for regional “hotspots” if the state parliament determines that the corona situation is particularly critical. All countries want to use a transitional period and maintain the current rules until April 2nd at the latest.
Most access restrictions fall on Sunday.
(Photo: dpa)
Bavaria’s Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) complained that the law was not practicable. It is not clear how it can be applied and what standards and parameters apply to “hotspots”, he told the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. North Rhine-Westphalia’s department head Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) called the easing at WDR 5 “irresponsible”. A mask requirement indoors beyond April 2 would be “absolutely right”.
City Day President Markus Lewe expects a patchwork of regulations. “It is quite likely that the law will have to be corrected again soon,” he also told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
>>Read also: Home office, mask requirement, 3G – which measures will apply after March 20th and which will not
The virologist Melanie Brinkmann said on Deutschlandfunk that you suddenly had “a toothless tiger” in front of you. There is currently a very high incidence of infection in the population. Therefore, it was exactly “the wrong time to take tools out of the toolbox.” Brinkmann expressed “complete incomprehension” that one of the most important and least stressful measures – wearing a mask – was significantly restricted.
FDP leader Christian Lindner defended the law again. It is “responsible” and finds the right balance between individual and state health protection, said the Federal Finance Minister of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”.
“However, there cannot be a mask requirement forever”
There are calls for a nationwide mask requirement, especially for shops. In the future, however, this will only be possible if countries specify it regionally for hotspot areas. The general manager of the German trade association, Stefan Genth, told the “Passauer Neue Presse” when asked whether the industry could live with the continuation of the obligation to wear a mask: “Whoever puts it on protects themselves and others.” Many would have liked them used to, even when shopping. “However, there cannot be a mask requirement forever.”
Several countries in Europe have largely abolished corona rules. Austria is tightening the reins again due to the sharp increase in the number of infections. From the middle of next week, FFP2 masks will have to be worn in public interiors again, as Health Minister Johannes Rauch announced on Friday evening. In the neighboring country, the seven-day incidence is about twice as high as in Germany.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), in Germany it continued to rise to a maximum of 1735.0 – after 1706.3 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days the day before. The health authorities reported 260,239 new cases in one day, and 221 more deaths were registered.
The RKI gave the number of people infected with corona who came to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days as 7.81 on Friday (Thursday: 7.58). The vaccination rate continues to decrease. According to the RKI, at least 60,000 doses were injected on Friday, compared to 94,334 vaccinations on Friday last week.
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