The Corona regulations expire on April 7th. However, the obligation to test and wear a mask is no longer required. With a few exceptions in NRW and Germany.
Hamm – The corona pandemic is becoming less and less important. No wonder that the year 2023 so far has been characterized by the relaxation of the measures that still exist. In NRW, for example, the obligation to isolate infected people and the obligation to wear a mask in local public transport fell recently. However, when the first federal states lifted the mask requirement for employees in medical practices at the beginning of February, North Rhine-Westphalia was cautious. But now there has been a surprise at the federal level: Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) announced that the remaining test and mask requirement in Germany – and thus also in NRW – will expire on March 1, 2023. With exceptions.
Mask and test obligation: Almost all corona rules in NRW end earlier
On Tuesday (February 14), the health ministers of the federal and state governments not only made lovers happy, in time for Valentine’s Day: They agreed on the earlier end of the mask and test requirement for employees and residents of health and care facilities.
However, the requirement to wear masks remains in place for a small group. Visitors to medical practices, hospitals and nursing homes still have to wear mouth and nose protection. As things stand at present, this will remain the case until April 7, 2023.
“The pandemic is not over yet,” said Karl Lauterbach. “But the pandemic has lost its horror. The virus can be controlled in everyday life.” There is no reason to fear that there will be new, dangerous virus variants in the foreseeable future. Due to the high level of immunity in the population, severe courses are also becoming increasingly rare.
End of the Corona rules in NRW: These measures will no longer apply on March 1st
The following people and groups will no longer have to wear a mask in NRW from March 1st:
- Doctors and nurses in clinics
- Physicians and staff in medical practices
- nursing home staff
- residents of nursing homes
From March 1, 2023, there will no longer be a mandatory test anywhere in NRW. Up to and including February 28, 2023, visitors to clinics and nursing homes still have to present a current quick test. Employees must also submit one at certain intervals. (With material from the dpa)
