Corona pandemic: Mask rule: Practices and clinics can decide for themselves

In practices and clinics, mask rules can remain in place even after the end of the state corona requirements is approaching – but depending on the decision of the local facilities. The head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Andreas Gassen, told the German Press Agency: “Of course, practices can set an additional obligation to wear a mask within the meaning of their house rules, and everyone can continue to wear a mask voluntarily.” But it is good that there will soon no longer be an automatic obligation and that the principle of personal responsibility will apply again.

The head of the German Hospital Society (DKG), Gerald Gass, told the dpa: “Clinics are used to defining hygiene measures to protect their patients, even independently of Corona.” With the expiry of the last statutory corona measures, we are entering a new phase in dealing with this disease. “Hospitals will then decide individually, depending on the situation, what action to take.” This will depend, for example, on the patient clientele and certainly also depending on the area of ​​the clinic.

After three years in the pandemic, the last nationwide corona requirements in the Infection Protection Act also end at Easter. Masks are still compulsory for visitors to practices, clinics and nursing homes until this Friday. It’s over on Saturday too.

KBV boss Gassen said that Corona had not been in a threatening situation for many months. “Against this background, it is logical that the mask requirement for patients in practices ends.” Gaß told the newspapers of the Funke media group (Thursday) that a mask requirement everywhere in the clinics made no sense for employees. “You can’t expect that from the visitors either.”