Can the masks to protect against corona infections now also fall on public transport? The Minister of Transport sees the time for this as coming. This is met with rejection in the coalition.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) has received an objection from the green coalition partner for his initiative to end the obligation to wear corona masks on buses, trains and planes.
“It would be unreasonable to lift the mask requirement on public transport right now,” said Green health expert Janosch Dahmen of the German Press Agency. “We need protective masks on the train and bus for a safe summer.” Dahmen also referred to the crowding in many vehicles. “The pandemic may be out of the mind of some, but it has not disappeared from our lives.”
On Monday, two EU authorities relaxed their recommendations for air traffic. The aviation security agency EASA and the EU health authority ECDC withdrew the general recommendation for the mandatory wearing of masks in airports and airplanes. If masks are compulsory in public transport at the departure or destination, this should also continue to apply in the machines.
Dahmen: No reason for premature changes
Dahmen said he could not see any contradiction between European and national requirements. “The European recommendations expressly include a national mask requirement.” The current pandemic situation gives no reason for premature changes to the Infection Protection Act.
In view of the new EU recommendations, Wissing had said that a uniform approach should be taken across Europe and that the mask requirement should be lifted, especially in air traffic. He sees the same need for adjustment for buses and trains. The nationwide mask requirement on airplanes and long-distance trains is stipulated in the Infection Protection Act until September 23rd. Masks are also compulsory in local transport with buses and trains, which are stipulated by the respective federal states.
On request, the Ministry of Transport announced that it would now approach the Ministry of Health – with a view to the possibility provided for in the law of suspending the obligation to wear a mask on airplanes and long-distance trains by means of a Federal Government regulation with the approval of the Federal Council.
Schaefer: «wrong signals at the wrong time»
The transport industry advocates an end to the mask requirement – especially since it no longer applies at events or in restaurants and shops. The chairwoman of the state transport ministers, Bremen’s Senator Maike Schaefer (Greens), criticized Wissing’s initiative as “wrong signals at the wrong time”.
She pointed to the approaching start of the planned €9 monthly tickets in June, July and August for buses and trains, which could lead to overcrowding on certain routes. “I think it would be counterproductive to abolish the mask requirement at that point.”
General mask requirements for events or when shopping had been eliminated in large parts of Germany since the beginning of April. Regardless of government regulations, there are many places, for example in cultural institutions, but further protection rules with mask requirements.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
