From the BZ editorial team
The federal government apparently wants to remove the obligation to wear masks on airplanes from the Infection Protection Act.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) should have the opportunity to reintroduce the obligation to wear masks by decree if the number of corona cases is high. This was initially reported by the editorial network Germany (RND), citing coalition circles. Such a regulation requires the approval of all departments.
According to the report, the FDP had put pressure on to abolish the obligation to wear masks on airplanes.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (52, FDP) has already signaled approval for his department for the end of the mask requirement on airplanes, as he advocates a uniform international approach to air traffic. “It’s a very sensible decision,” Wissing told BILD.
The federal government had recently pursued other plans, announcing the plan to even tighten the mask rules for citizens. Instead of surgical masks, FFP2 masks should be compulsory on airplanes and in long-distance transport.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (52, FDP) Photo: Uwe Geisler
Lufthansa resisted the plan and campaigned for the abolition of the mask requirement in air traffic.
The Board Member for Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility of the Lufthansa Group, Christina Foerster, said to BILD: “We rely on the personal responsibility of our guests. Passengers should be able to freely decide whether they want to wear a mask or not.”
The fact that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64, SPD) and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (52, Greens) did not wear masks on a government flight to Canada caused a stir because they did not apply to government aircraft in the Air Force according to a “squadron order”.