Germany to Lift Mask Mandate on Trains and Subways Starting Next Month

Health Minister "Immunity Formation and Stable COVID-19 Situation"
Mask Mandate Only for Hospitals, Clinics, and Nursing Homes

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Germany will lift the mask-wearing mandate on long-distance public transportation such as trains starting from the 2nd of next month.

Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Minister of Health, announced this at a press conference on the 13th (local time). He stated, "High immunity has been established across the population, and the COVID-19 situation has stabilized, so we have decided to advance the lifting of the mask-wearing mandate."

Originally, Germany planned to maintain the mask mandate on long-distance public transportation such as trains until April 7th under the Infection Protection Act.

Citizens wearing masks inside the Berlin subway in Germany.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Minister Lauterbach added, "It is now time to rely on personal responsibility and autonomy," and said, "Although tension remains, it is controllable." He also mentioned, "There is no need to worry about a winter surge or the emergence of dangerous variant viruses."

However, despite lifting the mask mandate, the German government continues to recommend wearing masks to protect oneself and others. Lauterbach said, "In consultation with the 16 federal states, we are lifting the mask mandate on long-distance trains," but he appealed, "Please continue to wear masks indoors and on long-distance trains."

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has now transitioned to an endemic phase, it is still better to continue wearing masks to protect oneself and others.

Previously, among Germany's 16 federal states, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein have already lifted the mask mandate on short-distance public transportation such as subways and buses. Additionally, Berlin, Brandenburg, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, and Baden-W?rttemberg plan to lift the mask mandate on short-distance public transportation by early next month at the latest. Once the mask mandates on both short- and long-distance public transportation are lifted, masks will only be mandatory in places such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Meanwhile, free COVID-19 testing in Germany will also be reduced, and starting from the 16th, COVID-19 diagnostic tests for confirming a negative result after infection will become paid services.