Coronavirus Infections Surge, Health Minister Urges Mask Usage Again
With the escalating cases of Covid-19, Brandenburg's Health Minister, Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens), has encouraged citizens to don protective masks, particularly in public transportation and shopping zones. Speaking to the German Press Agency, the minister stressed that masks can offer effective protection against the virus and advised people to act responsibly and show concern, urging those with coronavirus symptoms to stay home if possible and minimize contact with others.
Alarmed by the spiking infections, Potsdam's Ernst von Bergmann Hospital had to reintroduce the mask mandate for visitors and service providers recently, as well as prohibiting visits to wards with active outbreaks. Other medical facilities, however, only recommended mask usage.
For instance, the Brandenburg/Havel University Hospital advised individuals with cold symptoms to wear FFP2 masks while visiting the hospital, and urged those with coronavirus infections to postpone their hospital visits. Frankfurt (Oder) Hospital followed suit, with additional requests for relatives of high-risk patients to wear FFP2 masks voluntarily in certain areas.
Emphasizing the healthcare facilities' duty to protect vulnerable populations, Minister Nonnemacher commended their responsibility in enforcing mask requirements in high-risk situations. Further advocating for coronavirus and influenza vaccinations, she believed these measures could help curb the crisis and safeguard public health.
Additional Insights:
While the precise mask guidelines may vary from one German state to the next, as of January 2025, most states had made mask-wearing mandatory in public areas due to the pandemic. Some states, like Bavaria, even imposed modest fines for non-compliance in public transportation or shops. States' approaches to penalties for non-compliance, though, had been at odds following the controversies regarding mask distribution in April 2020.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official health authorities or local government websites in Brandenburg, Germany.
