“The strengthening of the wearing of the mask is necessary”, assures the president of Covars, Brigitte Autran who pleads this Sunday for a return of the mask in transport. As the ninth wave hits France and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne launched a “solemn appeal” to the French for a return of the mask in “promiscuous areas”, Le Parisien takes stock of the measures in force with our neighbors .
In Germany, FFP2 mandatory on the train
Several European countries have chosen to maintain the wearing of masks in public transport and have never removed the measure since the lifting of anti-Covid restrictions. Thus, in Spain, it is still compulsory in transport throughout the country and each region has the possibility of defining stricter rules.
The same is true in Germany, where local transport is subject to Länder regulations. On the other hand, in long-distance public transport, such as the train, wearing an FFP2 mask (and not simply a surgical one) is compulsory from the age of 14. FFP2 is also required on public transport in Vienna, the Austrian capital.
Cyprus, Greece and Lithuania have also maintained the wearing of masks on public transport.
Health facilities targeted in most countries
In Europe, most countries have maintained the compulsory wearing of masks in health establishments, such as France: this is the case of Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Spain, Greece , Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia.
Slight variations apply depending on the State to broaden the scope of the measure. In Slovakia, Poland, Belgium or Vienna, wearing a mask is compulsory in pharmacies. In Hungary, Portugal and Luxembourg, it is in a retirement home that it is required.
Germany appears to be one of the countries with the strictest legislation, since wearing the FFP2 is always required to go to a hospital. In some regions, an antigen test within 24 hours or PCR within 48 hours is also requested from visitors, including those who have been vaccinated.
Some countries have abandoned everything
A minority number of European states have, however, chosen to abandon any restrictions. In Estonia, for example, wearing a mask is simply recommended, as in the United Kingdom and Ireland. As for the Netherlands, it is left to the discretion of health establishments, as in Denmark, in which private establishments can impose it.
In Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, the Czech Republic or Romania, all pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted and wearing a mask is therefore no longer required or recommended.