Under discussion for weeks, now approved by the Bundestag: The new coronavirus regulations for the fall. As expected, mandatory testing and masks are returning. There are also numerous measures that the federal states can impose in the event of a critical infection situation. Find out everything you need to know here.
Update (as of 19.09.2022): The measures were also officially adopted by the Federal Council on September 16 and will therefore apply from October 1, 2022.
Comeback in the fall
Weeks earlier, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Federal Justice Minister Jens Buschmann (FDP) agreed on a possible package of measures for the fall. Read more here. Last Thursday, the Bundestag decided which regulations should now come into force. If the legislative package passes the Bundesrat on September 16, the measures will apply from October 1 to April 7, as reported by Tagesschau. Contrary to the expectations of Lauterbach and Buschmann's package of measures, the measures are not initially as extensive. Nevertheless, the mask and test requirement will return and the federal states will have the option of ordering further measures.
Corona measures from October
According to ZDF, a nationwide FFP2 mask requirement and a test requirement are planned. The mask requirement applies to clinics, nursing homes, doctors' surgeries and long-distance trains. It applies from the age of 14. A surgical mask is sufficient for children aged 3 to 13. Masks will not be compulsory on airplanes for the time being, but may be reintroduced if the number of cases increases.
Mandatory testing should again apply in nursing homes and clinics. If incidences increase, the mask and test requirement can also be extended by the federal states.
Country-wide tightening possible
According to the ZDF, there are two levels of options for individual countries to tighten the coronavirus measures: level one with general additional requirements and level two with requirements for a critical infection situation.
Level 1 (country-wide)
The federal states can reintroduce the obligation to wear masks on public transport and in publicly accessible indoor areas. The latter include stores and restaurants, for example. However, there are exceptions to this mask requirement: Firstly, by presenting a negative test at leisure, cultural or sporting events and restaurants. According to Tagesschau, people with a recent coronavirus vaccination, which may only have been given a maximum of three months ago, may also be exempt.
In addition, compulsory testing and masks may also return to schools and daycare centers. Only if face-to-face teaching would otherwise have to be discontinued could children from the fifth grade onwards have to wear masks again, as NDR explains.
Level 2 (country-wide)
Further requirements are possible in more critical situations. These include a mask requirement for outdoor events if a distance of 1.50 m cannot be guaranteed, as ZDF writes. Hygiene concepts for businesses and other facilities could also be reintroduced. The return of upper visitor limits for indoor events is also optional.
The prerequisites for the reintroduction of these measures are, on the one hand, a concrete threat to the healthcare system and a state parliament resolution.
However, lockdowns and curfews are no longer planned.
The following country-specific measures were adopted from October:
While the basic measures regulated and mentioned by the federal government have applied in all German federal states since October 1 and tightening is possible depending on the coronavirus situation, there are further differences between the federal states.
In all federal states, masks will also be compulsory on public transport on buses and trains in future. In Brandenburg and Berlin, an FFP2 mask must be worn, while a medical mask is sufficient in the other federal states. In healthcare facilities such as hospitals, doctors' surgeries and care facilities, FFP2 masks are mandatory in all federal states. The exception is in Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria, where a medical mask is sufficient.
Masks are also compulsory in homeless shelters and shared accommodation for asylum seekers in Bremen, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria and Saarland. In Berlin, FFP2 masks are even mandatory. In Thuringia, masks are compulsory in shelters for the homeless.
There is an additional testing requirement in prisons in Bremen, Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. In Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, testing is also mandatory in accommodation for asylum seekers.
The testing obligation in hospitals or care facilities does not apply to vaccinated or recovered persons or employees in Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia and NRW. In Schleswig-Holstein, people who have no or only minimal contact with people receiving treatment or care in the facilities are also exempt from the testing requirement, as reported by NDR. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the testing requirement does not apply to immunized persons in state accommodation facilities and in the prison system, according to the state government.
In terms of tightening measures, Brandenburg will be guided by a new warning traffic light in future. According to rbb, indicators for this warning traffic light include the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals and the number of free intensive care beds.
Further plans
In addition to this legislative package, a new vaccination campaign is also to be launched. In addition, medication is to be administered more quickly to patients and more precise data on hospital occupancy is to be provided. This is reported by ZDF.
Some state politicians see this package of measures as a good preparation for the fall. Lower Saxony's Health Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) told NDR that she does not expect the coronavirus rules to be tightened. If no new, more dangerous measures than the Omikron-BA.5 variant were to be introduced, Lower Saxony could get by with the current basic protective measures.
In view of the planned measures, it is advisable to take precautions now with masks and rapid tests for the fall.
Order masks and tests online - at parahealth
Both antigen tests for professional and lay use can be purchased quickly and cheaply online at parahealth. Professional tests are available from €0.55 and lay tests from €0.69 per test. There are also high-quality masks at low prices: Surgical masks from €0.05 and FFP2 masks from €0.14 each. Order online now and save money. We offer fast delivery, top quality and good customer service. Prepare now for the new corona regulations from the fall.
