Germany abolishes the requirement for masks in public transportation

Germany finally ends the use of masks in public transport. From Thursday, passengers on German public transportation will be able to travel bare-faced for the first time in nearly three years, with the requirement to wear masks to protect against COVID-19 infections being lifted nationwide.

The requirement to wear masks on long-distance trains and buses was supposed to last until April, but the federal Cabinet recently decided to lift the regulation ahead of schedule due to a drop in COVID-19 cases in the country.

There are still a bit of rules we need to abide even though we can finally throw the mask out

Passengers on all modes of public transportation, both long-distance and regional, will no longer be required to wear masks, with the nine states that have previously required masks for local trips lifting the requirement as well.

FFP2 masks, which are roughly equivalent to N95 masks in the United States, will still be required to be worn by visitors to hospitals, nursing homes, and doctor and dentist offices until April 7.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is known for taking a cautious approach to regulations aimed at preventing the spread of infection, has  suggested that people continue to wear masks voluntarily.