After a short break, the German authorities are ready to “tighten the screws” again. The first step towards tightening the fight against coronavirus during the autumn and winter has already been taken. The government has been asked to make masks mandatory for everyone.
In a press release published last week, the German Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Justice, developed a proposal to further develop the Infection Protection Act, the legal basis for fighting the pandemic.
With winter, the coldest months of the year, associated with a seasonal spike in COVID-19 cases, Germans are expecting an increased strain on the healthcare system and other critical infrastructure. Therefore, the authorities want to “insure” and adapt the law to the current situation, starting from October 1, 2022, to April 7, 2023.
The Ministry of Health indicates in a statement that if Germany accepts this proposal, then masks will become mandatory on airplanes and intercity public transport. And to visit hospitals and other medical institutions, you will need not only masks but negative tests. And for both doctors and patients.
Only patients whose medical treatment does not allow wearing a mask will be exempted from the obligation to wear a mask. And the tests will be able to skip the recently vaccinated or recovered from the virus.
From October 1, the regions of the country will be able to independently establish requirements for wearing masks indoors. If the situation so requires, masks will become mandatory both at outdoor events and in public places. The obligation to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters and upper limits for people when holding indoor events may return.
A decision on the proposal is due to be made by the federal cabinet in August, according to the ministry.