Now it has been decided how Germany should get through the Corona autumn. Among other things, there is a mask requirement on trains and planes. This can be done in two stages. What is useful about it? Some see Germany as exotic on the European Corona map. That’s what experts say.
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Most people are tired of the pandemic and no longer want to deal with the topic. After the holiday relaxation, they now have to take out the mask again, just because they have arrived back in Germany. Jens Kleindienst from the “Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz” also speaks of “it is incomprehensible that Germany is now going its own way”.
Germany is on the road as a “ghost driver” – FDP politician Marco Buschmann contradicts this statement in the press conference on the new infection protection law that was passed in the cabinet. Parliament still needs approval. In other countries there are regulations that even allow stricter encroachments on fundamental rights and many European countries are now also preparing legal bases for autumn/winter – for example the Netherlands or France. “Many countries are exactly in the debate we are in now,” says the Federal Minister of Justice. “And compared to these drafts, we have presented a very moderate concept that protects fundamental rights.”
Ralf Reintjes, epidemiologist at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, evaluates the planned measures in a similar way. “In my view, many of the current decisions to protect against massive transmission of the virus are well thought out,” says Reintjes when asked by FOCUS Online. “Many interests are weighed up and an attempt is made to proceed in stages – also for the possible and yet more likely case of a significant increase in the incidence of infection in autumn and winter.”
The fact that Germany is stricter than other countries in terms of corona measures is not Friedemann Weber’s perception. The virologist judges that one can only speak of a “special path” if one ignores Asia. “Apart from that: What measures are currently implemented in other countries or not – that is not the decisive factor,” adds Weber. Even if the vaccines protected us extremely well against severe courses, we would have seen how much a corona wave can restrict public life and the functioning of institutions. “It’s definitely not over, the next variant will come and other countries will also react to it.”
The next steps are now being taken in Germany, and the discussions about how useful and necessary the individual regulations are are not dying down. How do experts rate them?
The 3-month exceptions for those who have recovered and those who have been fully vaccinated are well-intentioned and should probably also motivate them to vaccinate. “Unfortunately, the vaccine protection against a new variant will not provide robust protection against infection (but it does protect against serious illness),” explains the virologist. “Much less in those who have recovered, because the immune response is individually different after an infection, depending on the severity of the infection and the variant.”
Epidemiologist Reintjes is particularly critical of the “expected dilution effect”. This means that the exceptions will again reduce the protective effect and make practical implementation more difficult. He predicts: “In practice, people with an increased risk will then have to avoid these areas, which will lead to a massive restriction of the freedom of many people.”
With regard to the mask requirement, the regulations do not go far enough for the professor from Hamburg. Because a lot will depend on how the federal states implement them. A patchwork quilt won’t help.
“A mask requirement in public interiors where many people are would certainly be desirable nationwide to protect many people,” says Reintjes. “We now know from many scientific studies that wearing masks significantly reduces the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses. It is especially effective when everyone in a room wears a mask and not just those at increased risk of serious illness.”
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Following on from this, virologist Weber is generally in favor of adapting to the infection situation and adds: “However, the mask requirement in public transport should be maintained at all times.”
Whether a mask requirement instead of a recommendation has a better effect can certainly be discussed.
A look at a few countries shows that Germany is not a fundamental exception even with the current corona rules on the obligation to wear masks. In some cases, the recommendation to cover your mouth and nose applies instead of an obligation.
There is a nationwide obligation to wear a mouth and nose cover
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
No mask requirement, the health emergency in France also ended on August 1, 2022.
Only recommendations currently apply:
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
The FFP2 mask requirement applies in closed rooms of:
The Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection offers further detailed information on current measures.
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
England: Masks are compulsory in health facilities or nursing homes.
Scotland: The mask requirement has been lifted.
Wales: Wearing a mask remains mandatory in care and healthcare facilities.
Northern Ireland: Measures such as wearing a mask on public transport, shops or other event spaces are recommended.
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
There is no longer a general obligation to wear a mouth and nose cover (medical mask or visor). The state recommends wearing a mouth and nose cover for people who are infected with Covid-19 or have severe symptoms.
You can read more about this at the Federal Foreign Office.
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