It is according to the report by SchengenVisaInfo, the new ordinance that has been voted for adoption by the Bundestag will enter into force on October 1 and will remain effective until April 7, 2023.
The adopted package of requirements is designed to prepare as well as protect Germany for the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as the country moves into the autumn and winter, I Am Expat Germany explains.
In line with the new rules, from October 1, all people over the age of 14 will be required to wear an FFP2 mask on long-distance trains in Germany. Children between the ages of six and 13 will also be required to wear a face mask on long-distance trains. However, they do not necessarily need to wear an FFP2 mask, as a surgical face mask is sufficient for them.
While mask wearing will be mandatory on long-distance trains, the case is not the same for aeroplanes and airports. Passengers will not be required to wear a face mask for domestic as well international flights. Nonetheless, it has been pointed out that this rule might change if the number of COVID-19 infection cases starts to increase.
I Am Expat further explains that starting from October 1, Coronavirus (COVID-19) rules will also be tightened up in hospitals and nursing homes. As soon as the new rules start being effective, all hospital and nursing home employees and visitors will have to wear an FFP2 mask. In addition, visitors will also have to present a negative rapid test, whereas the staff will have to test three times a week.
The above-mentioned rules will apply nationwide, and the federal states will be able to implement additional rules individually depending on the local COVID situation.
The individual states will be able to introduce mask requirements in public transport and other public indoor areas as well as in secondary schools. Additionally, they will also be able to implement testing in schools and daycare centres.
It has been explained that in case a state decides to make masks obligatory in different public areas and events, they can always choose to implement exemptions. People who can present a recent negative test, recent infection or a COVID-19 jab in the last three months might not be required to wear a face mask.
Tags: German government authorities, SchengenVisaInfo, Germany, new COVID-19 rules
