Germany Officially Drops Mask Requirement on Long-Distance Trains and Buses
The requirement to wear a face mask on Germany’s long-distance trains and on local public transport has been mandatory for almost two years. However, after taking into account the improvement of the COVID-19 situation, the German authorities decided to no longer apply such a measure, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
Commenting on the decision to drop such a requirement, the German Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach, said that the number of COVID infections in January had halved compared to December.
Moreover, the minister pointed out that the number of hospitalisations has also fallen, suggesting that it was about time that mask-wearing is no longer mandatory on long-distance trains and local public transport.
“The pandemic situation has stabilised. The incidence is only half as high as a month ago. In addition, the number of hospitalisations and hospital admissions fell,” Minister Lauterbach said last month.
The German authorities further said that the population has built a high level of immunity and indicated that they do not expect another wave in this winter season.
Even though the mask requirement will no longer be compulsory on long-distance trains and local public transport, the authorities pointed out that everyone can continue wearing it if they feel safer this way.
Apart from dropping the mask requirement on long-distance trains and local public transport, the authorities said that in many federal states people who have tested positive for Coronavirus will no longer be required to go into self-isolation.
As for the other Coronavirus-related regulations, it has been stressed that they will remain in force until April 7. Until the other measures get dropped on April 7, all patients, visitors, and healthcare workers will continue to be required to wear a face mask.
Data shows that the Coronavirus situation has significantly improved in Germany so far this year. According to World Health Organization, Germany has recorded a total of 73,860 new COVID infection cases in the last seven days. In addition, the same reveals that during the same seven-day period the country recorded 48 new deaths.
Similar to Germany, Spain has also decided to drop the mask requirement on public transport. The Spanish authorities announced last month that starting from February 7, those using public transport will no longer be required to wear a face mask.
