Two German politicians fly to Canada, there are also journalists on board – you sit close together, without masks. Masks are now compulsory on commercial flights. A case of double standards?
After the excitement about a government flight with passengers without corona masks, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) referred to “clear rules”. At a press conference in Newfoundland, Scholz emphasized that there were clear regulations regarding the readiness to fly. With a view to a cabinet meeting that is due to take place today, the Chancellor also commented on the Infection Protection Act in Berlin, among other things: He was pleased with the very intensive and very timely preparation of the necessary legislation so that the right decisions could be made in the autumn.
The federal cabinet then wants to set the course for the planned corona requirements for this autumn and winter. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) presented their proposals for the rules in the Infection Protection Act at the beginning of August. In essence, the plans provide that, to protect against a corona fall wave, it should again be possible to wear masks in publicly accessible interiors from October. In addition, there should continue to be a mask requirement on airplanes and long-distance trains.
Kubicki: “Impression of elitist double standards”
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr announced that he would put the mask requirement on airplanes to the test. “As soon as the cabinet has passed the final version of the Infection Protection Act, we will consult with our coalition partners and examine where there is a need for improvement,” Dürr told the “Spiegel”. “The debate about the obligation to wear masks on airplanes is an example where we still see a need for testing.”
He explained: “Shouldn’t there also be test exceptions on commercial flights, for example? And what about European uniformity?” Experts will be consulted on these and other questions.
The deputy FDP party leader Wolfgang Kubicki criticized: “For many people in the country, the pictures from the government plane leave the impression of elitist double standards”. He told the “Spiegel” that he thought it was urgent to end the mask requirement on planes and trains – “we are now alone in Europe on this path”.
A video and photos of the chancellor and his deputy Robert Habeck (Greens) flying from Berlin to Montreal in Canada on Sunday caused a stir. Economics Minister Habeck and journalists sitting close together without masks could be seen on it. A government spokesman then explained that there was no obligation to wear a mask on Air Force flights. “All participants on the trip must present a current negative PCR test before departure. This ensures a high level of protection.” All passengers had to be tested no more than 24 hours before departure.
In Germany, this triggered a debate about government protection requirements for all air travel. In general, masks are mandatory for passengers and staff nationwide for airplanes – as well as for long-distance trains.
On the onward flight of the government plane to Newfoundland, there was again no obligation to wear a mask, but a corresponding recommendation. No change in the rules was planned for the return flight to Berlin either.
Source: Stern
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