about government overreach. "We'd need someone at the door again, to check that people are wearing masks when they come in. You bet. It is also a period where the number of indoor gatherings increase, particularly over the holidays when different households mix, further fueling infections. 10/01/2022 Germany has modified rules on mask-wearing and hygiene as it prepares for a rise in COVID-19 cases. Or do some states say cloth masks on public transport or have no masks at all? Germany: When Do We Need to Install Winter Tires? Steinmeier: Peace is Our Most Fervent Wish, Lesley Haw: A Night at Berlins Capsule Hotel, Berlin: The Islamist Terror Attack of 2016 and the, Berlin: Brandenburg Gate to be Turned into Giant Soccer Goal, Amadeu Antnio: Victim of Racist Mob in Brandenburg, The Beauty of Brandenburgs Dahme Spreewald County, Berlin: Kindergartens, Schools and S-Bahn, West Berlin in 1970: A Glance Through Robert W., Germany: Interior Ministry Rejects Calls for Firecracker Ban, Berlin: First Light of Giant Hanukkiah Lit at Brandenburg. If the infection situation worsens, states have the power to impose further measures, such as requiring masks to be worn in indoor areas such as shops and restaurants. Climate change ravages Sri Lanka's shores, Germany: 2 teens' ecstasy deaths prompt debate, US Supreme Court guts affirmative action at colleges, Uruguay drought: Capital hit by water shortages, a new set of rules aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. It can be ended prematurely after seven days with a negative rapid test or PCR test. ". I've just come back from a consultation on my hip, as an outpatient in a hospital, and I had to have an FFP2 mask while there, and a negative Covid-19 test to be even allowed to enter the building. Lets go back to Corona for a moment: Until yesterday, persons who got two Corona vaccinations were fully vaccinated. The Deutsche Stiftung Patientenschutz, an organization that represents the interests of severely ill and dying people and those in need of permanent care, has criticized the new rules, saying they either go too far or not far enough. But that could all change soon. Here we go: Filled in property and income tax forms have to be handed in before this month is over. Not only that, but Germany was expected to tighten rules around wearing masks on planes. The German government has reportedly been forced into an embarrassing u-turn over its plans to extend and strengthen an air travel face mask mandate through to April 2023 and will now drop the rules following an internal squabble over the mandate. BERLIN (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Cabinet approved legislation Wednesday that ensures basic protective measures against the coronavirus pandemic are continued during the fall and winter when more virus cases are expected. Cloth masks haven't been a thing here since two years and are nowhere accepted. Your freedom to extend your fist ends when it meets someone else's face. We did wear a surgical mask when we were on the train but in the airport and train stations there were plenty of people not wearing masks and not once on any train or plane were we told to wear a FFP2 mask. For that reason I find the reinstallation of Covid measures without even knowing which variant will be predominant or if there is any new variant of concern popping up in fall completely inadequate. At least Germanys minimum wage just increased to 12 Euro (11.76 U.S. Now, Berlin and Brandenburg are the first of Germany's 16 federal states considering a reintroduction of mandatory masks for indoor public spaces, at least in retail. What did Germany's FM Baerbock achieve in Sth. Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Paths latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox. On local public transport, the wearing of an FFP2 mask is now generally mandatory - the thinner surgical masks are no longer sufficient. Not only that, but Germany is tightening restrictions around the kinds of masks that travelers need to wear. The clubs. Under the hashtags #maskmandatenow and #masksarenomildmeasure, users insult each other and double down on their respective stances. After a mostly restriction-free summer, which saw vaccination requirements being lifted and other once-stringent rules scrapped, Germany will be making a controversial move beginning this fall and reinstate restrictions among them, a mask mandate for the entire winter. I had to wear one earlier this week flying to Germany from a maskless country (they said it was also airline policy not just government). Heat and drought Health Germany Germany lifts most COVID-19 restrictions 03/18/2022 The Bundestag lifted the requirement to wear a mask in most places, despite a record number of. What did Germany's FM Baerbock achieve in Sth. Contact me here: imanuelmarcus (at) gmail.com, Berlin Senate Increases Parking Fees Substantially, New Years Eve: Berlin Forbids Use of Firecrackers and Fireworks in Three Zones, Christmas Eve with the Police in Berlins Neuklln District, Young Gun Silver Fox to Perform in Germany, Berlin: Brandenburg Gate to be Turned into Giant Soccer Goal, Berlin: Christmas Market at State Opera Offers High Quality, Berlinale: Seventy-One Years of Golden Bear Winners, Lesley Haw: A Night at Berlins Capsule Hotel, Indecent Proposal: The Dark Realities of Finding Housing in, Berlin to Use Noise Traps to Chase Loud. This policy I at least appreciate if youre going to make people wear masks, at least make them wear masks that work. Image - mandatory mask wearing: Kzenon/shutterstock. 7 reviews 1 helpful vote Masks in Germany - where are they required? Yes, indeed. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called the new rules strict compared with other European countriesbut said Germany was being "not smarter but more cautious"in its approach. We landed in Frankfurt and took the train multiple times in the upper middle Rhine area through Nuremberg down to Munich and Heidelberg. We are all in free countries and that enables us to have a critical eye on any government and to oppose any measures implemented by any government - that is the big difference from dictatorships who accept only one point of view and where there is no freedom of speech. Not anymore. From Berlin to Taipei, these gayborhoods around the globe are where Queer pioneers fought for LGBTQ+ freedoms. I find it too funny what Americans consider to be "communist" - I think the US is the country with not any clue what communism really means. Southwest Airlines Performance Business Card Review: Amazing Wi-Fi Resisting Temptation In Lufthansa First Class. The European Union was going to dump those time changes, but lost its focus on the matter when Corona hit. "We're a small shop and there can be eight or 10 customers in the room within 15 minutes," she says. But that's not the case everywhere. Social distancing is a thing of the past, and only a handful of customers wear face masks in shops. Mandatory mask-wearing and the presentation of a. New quarantine rules in force since Friday Makes lots of sense definitely helps with drink sales though. Here's our Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more info. If the virus spreads widely again, the number of people at public events can be limited and testing can be demanded. Although no brand new variants that are particularly worrying have emerged, Omicrons offspring have led to more upticks across the continent including Germany. They are often admitted with a coronavirus infection, not severe COVID-19 symptoms. Here's an overview of the coronavirus rules that will apply in the federal republic from October. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. For the moment, the federal government have announced the reintroduction of mandatory mask wearing on long train and plane journeys. They all tell me how gradually and incrementally communism is accomplished. Contact information for the relevant contact person, Barrierefreie Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik (IKT), Transitional arrangement for Berlin-Ticket S extended, Tiergarten tunnel closed from Monday night to Tuesday morning, Station forecourt at Hauptbahnhof to be redesigned, Holiday pass for Berlin schoolchildren launches, For a "vibrant future": Jewish Campus Pears opens in Berlin, Special Olympics come to an end: Busy BER, Berlin weather: Thunderstorms, rain and squalls expected on Thursday, Rent cap for social housing: Housing Act is coming. Not everyone agrees with this approach. Berlin: Franziska Giffey and Vladimir Klitschko Open Photo, Berlin: The Last Visit to the Christmas Market at, Berlin: New Bicycle Street Inaugurated in Neuklln. 3 times the death rate from the flu. As a Bahncard 100 holder, it's getting really old. I ride ICE between Zrich and Frankfurt, and they make you put a mask on as soon as you cross the German border after everyone has been riding for an hour plus without one in the same car. So, energy and food are becoming more expensive by the week? ", But, she says, they have no influence over what happens in the changing rooms:"Nobody can really control that.". We also rode the ICE train. While some countries say the pandemic is over, lawmakers in Germany are calling for tighter protective measures as winter approaches. Also, read and listen to some Jordan Peterson. Germany was one of the few countries in Europe still requiring masks on planes, so I imagine this is welcome news to many. Dictatorships will send anyone to prison or even kill people for having a different opinion. more, Berlin's most popular flea markets and antique markets with adresses, opening hours, public transport and map. Children between the ages of six and 13 will also be required to wear a face mask on long-distance trains. more, June 30 to July 02, 2023: Events, concerts, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER August 24, 2022 GMT BERLIN (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Cabinet approved legislation Wednesday that ensures basic protective measures against the coronavirus pandemic are continued during the fall and winter when more virus cases are expected. Germany has extended its mask mandate for air travel through April 7, 2023, so you can expect to have to mask up on airplanes in Germany for well over seven more months. Government controlling how people breathe fits the definition of tyranny to me. What is happening with the Covid agenda, is communism indeed. But once food started, we took ours off and no one asked us to put them back on. You want another change? I'd thought we'd be ok without masks, due to my ignorance! Also, any medical settings would require an FFP2 mask and often also a negative test. Government has every right to intervene in a public health crisis. I realize my choice is unpopular but I have to do what I think is right. Last year, the arrival of Omicron prompted virtually all of Europe to clamp down on incoming travel after a free summer, and it looks like this pattern will repeat itself in 2022. At a Berlin doctor's office, an employee says she constantly encounters problems with patients who come in without a mask, despite a notice on the front door. But not all restrictions have been tightened and not everyone is satisfied. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Not American. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. "Then we'd definitely have far fewer customers again. That means Health Minister Lauterbach, who fervently supports a renewed indoor mask mandate, can implore state leaders to act but not compel them. Children under the age of 14 are exempt from the rule.In implementing the 2G-plus rule, Berlin is going beyond the agreement reached by the federal and state governments a week ago on Friday, which was limited to the restaurant industry. Entering Germany today, Americans and other foreign tourists, European or not, arent subject to any health checks upon landing: However, judging by Germanys history of Covid policies, nothing can be ruled out for certain. The only museum we visited was the Documentation Center in Nuremberg and masks were not mandated. The basics Germany's border policies have been. "Everyone can protect themselves by voluntarily putting on a mask and being vaccinated," he recently told the weekly paper Bild am Sonntag. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). Cloth masks are not acceptable anywhere. Residents in Germany will from Saturday have to adjust to a new set of rules aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The energy crisis and the associated financial worries are also adding to the health sector's woes. While plans for this were first revealed in early September, Germanys two largest airlines have now officially announced that theyll be updating their policies around mask wearing. According to a decision made by the Berlin Senate on Tuesday, the 2G-plus rule will apply in such places, meaning that only people who have received their booster vaccination and people who are doubly vaccinated or recovered and can provide a negative test result will have access. Mask regulations have been part of international public health initiatives to control a global pandemic and save lives. By the way: Subscribing to the The Berlin Spectators newsletter is easy. Now they just need to get rid of the public transit mask mandate. 6 incredible in-person drag events to see this year. In the same way you're free to be drunk and buck naked brandishing firearms in the privacy of your own home, you can't on a plane. That is why negative Corona tests are also required for any individuals who enter care homes or clinics. Air travelers will, on the other hand, be able to dispense with masks, which is in line with the practice of other EU countries and airlines. German airlines say they are in favour of abolishing the mask requirement, and making it voluntary instead. It specifically protects people from BA.4 and BA.5 and should be available soon. 51 years old. A few hours ago, the new month of October commenced. Mask mandate changes Under the new regulations, people travelling on long-distance trains in Germany will have to wear an FFP2 mask if they are over the age of 14. Airports within Germany and on intra-Germany, and Germany-bound, No quarantine irrespective of vaccination status. TheTravel Off Path Community FB grouphas all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&As happening daily! BERLIN Germany's health minister said Friday that the country may need to bring back a requirement for wearing face masks in public this fall after lawmakers rejected a proposed coronavirus . Berlin, March 19th, 2022. As of October 1, 2022, the requirement to wear masks on planes is being removed from Germanys Infection Protection Act, meaning masks will no longer be required on airplanes to & from Germany. I'm not inherently opposed to a mask mandate, but there isn't really a point if it is only haphazardly enforced and it probably is time for it to end. The texts concludes by adding that modified rules are required between October 1st, 2022 and April 7th, 2023, essentially throughout fall and winter, as a protective barrier against the virus and its sub-variants. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Despite that, he warns of what might lie ahead. CNN If you're planning to travel to Germany, here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am taking a group of scouts from UK by bus to Wuerzburg area next week Aug 12th, with a day trip to Rothenburg o d T. They MIGHT go into local shops to buy sweets and MIGHT want to buy souvenirs in RodT. thank you but at this point years on i wont patron a store that asks for a mask - they wont get my money. 1 year ago Save The FFP2 is required in Berlin public transport, yes? The rules are being introduced as the country is seeing a steady rise in infections amid colder weather, withofficials recording 96,367 new cases in the past 24 hours, around double the number recorded a week ago. FFP2 mask mandate on public transport In addition, a stricter mask mandate for passengers on buses and trains will come into force on Saturday. Whew what will the Covid cultists in Europe do now? It's going to get confusing once again. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Debate is also growing on social media. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices. "We have a lot of visitors from abroad, and they don't like the masks," she says, folding a dark-blue sweater. And that's where the problem lies. What about Eurowings lucky? #6: Masks are required on public transportation., but not in shops, restaurants etc. Reply Report inappropriate content 35 replies to this topic 1-10 of 35 replies Sorted by 1 2 3 4 He, however, called it excessive that care home residents were now expected to wear FFP2 masks when outside their rooms. Climate change ravages Sri Lanka's shores, Germany: 2 teens' ecstasy deaths prompt debate, US Supreme Court guts affirmative action at colleges, Uruguay drought: Capital hit by water shortages, there's often trouble, especially when staff attempt to enforce the rule. In most states you can wear a medical mask instead of FFP2 on public transportation, though. Mask rules have been dropped in nearly all other public spaces, including in German airports, leading to confusion amongst passengers. Do you think that law enforcement is also tyranny? Since, it rose to todays new level in increments. Protective masks, especially FFP2 standard products, protect the persons who wear them, but especially everyone around them. Berliners must once again prepare themselves for stricter Coronavirus rules. France riots: 45,000 police deployed to restore order, France braces for more riots after teen shooting, French government scrambles to respond to unrest. Covid still killing more Americans each week than died on 9/11. Although its clearly shifted to more liberal policies, much like most of Europe, the Deutsch fatherland is no stranger to U-turns when it comes to the pandemic. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing. Most everyone except us wore masks. If you think having to wear a mask on a plane is "tyranny" you clearly need to read up on history to learn about what actual tyranny is. Apparently, Germany will not go back to the old normal pre-covid just quite yet. I enjoyed my maskless DL ATL/MUC last week while my colleague flew from SEA on DE/LH was forced to wear a mask the entire way. The quarantine mandate is also waived for newly vaccinated and recovered persons if the infection or vaccination occurred less than three months ago. Africa? Masks are no longer required on airplanes and inter-city public transport but are still mandatory on local transport services. Update 7:16 p.m. CET (The Berlin Spectator) While the Coronavirus infection levels reach new all-time highs every week, the Federal Republic of Germany is getting rid of most Corona rules. Since yesterday, 90 Corona patients died. FA's were getting lung cancer from second hand smoke. They have not presented any evidence or justification for this, according to exxpress.at. Acting under the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), Germany's Ministry of Health will reinstate masks in the following settings: Long-distance public transport, including intercity and cross-border trains and buses arriving into Germany Airports within Germany and on intra-Germany, and Germany-bound flights This temporary measure is supposed to help people with their energy bills. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Berlin.de is a service of the State of Berlin.