From Monday: Masks are no longer compulsory in public transport in Saxony
Saxony abolishes the mask requirement on buses and trains. The Corona situation has eased. However, those infected must continue to isolate themselves.
Saxony’s Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) no longer sees sufficient reason to continue to make masks compulsory on buses and trains.
© Archive image: dpa/Robert Michael
Dresden. Saxony abolishes the mask requirement in local public transport. The cabinet decided on Tuesday. From January 16, masks will no longer have to be worn on buses and trains, but they are “strongly recommended,” said Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) on Tuesday following the cabinet meeting.
It is clear, Köpping went on to say, that protective measures once morest the corona virus are “only permissible if the corona virus is overloaded”. However, this is currently not the case and is not forecast. Only seven percent of infections are currently due to the corona virus. Infections with influenza or the RS virus are more common.
Nevertheless, the minister emphasized: “Vaccination remains important and you can protect yourself with a mask. Everyone has this in their own hands.”
Saxony is following other federal states. Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt had already ended the mask requirement on buses and trains on their own in December following a coordinated approach between the federal states had not come regarding. Schleswig-Holstein followed in early January. Thuringia, Brandenburg and Berlin want to abolish the obligation to wear masks in public transport at the beginning of February.
The mask requirement in nursing homes, hospitals and medical practices as well as in long-distance transport remains in place. These measures are regulated by the Federal Infection Protection Act and are valid until April 7th. Köpping would also advocate changes here.
The obligation to isolate continues to apply in Saxony for the time being
On the other hand, the obligation to isolate if the corona test is positive remains for the time being. This was decided in consultation with the experts in the health staff. This regulation should apply until at least the end of January. One must first continue to monitor the new sub-variant circulating in the USA and the development in China. “We have to remain vigilant,” said Köpping.
In Saxony, infected people have to isolate themselves for at least five days and a maximum of ten days. They can end isolation following five days if they have been symptom-free for 48 hours. Although a negative text is “strongly recommended”, it is no longer necessary. Anyone who still has symptoms on the fifth day must continue to stay at home – until the 48 hours of freedom from symptoms have been reached.
