With the new Corona regulation, almost nothing changes in Hesse. It provides for a mask requirement in public transport and, for example, in the hospital. However, the state government wants to “monitor the situation very closely”.
Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - As announced, masks should continue to be compulsory on public buses and trains in Hesse with the new Corona regulation of the state. A medical mask is still sufficient, but an FFP2 mask is recommended because of its better protection. This was announced by the State Chancellery in Wiesbaden on Thursday. The situation is different in long-distance rail transport: there, the nationwide Infection Protection Act prescribes the wearing of an FFP2 mask from Saturday.
The same applies by federal law in hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, visitors still have to test themselves there in advance. A current rapid test is sufficient, as the State Chancellery explained. The state government adjusted the Hessian Corona Protection Ordinance on October 1st, a step that had become necessary due to the new Federal Infection Protection Act.
"For the citizens of Hesse, almost nothing will change as a result of the new regulation," said Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) and Social Affairs Minister Kai Klose (Greens). The number of new infections is currently increasing again, but the number of seriously ill patients in the intensive care units is at a rather low level.
"It is therefore reasonable that we initially stick to the basic protection measures that have been in place up to now, but are monitoring the situation closely," explained Rhein and Klose. A tightening of the rules is possible, but not necessary in Hesse at the moment.
"Should the course of the pandemic necessitate stronger protective measures or a new, more pathogenic virus variant appear, a new regulation would be necessary," explained Klose.
Prime Minister Rhein called on citizens to be careful: "Please be careful, especially when dealing with people with underlying diseases." All people for whom further vaccination is recommended should have their protection refreshed at a doctor's office or public health vaccination centre.
The ordinance that is now coming into force should apply until April 7, 2023 and thus for as long as the federal law, as the State Chancellery announced.
