Status: May 31, 2021 8:15 a.m.
In an interview with NDR Schleswig-Holstein, a scientific advisor to the state government, the Lübeck infectiologist Jan Rupp, speaks out in favor of completely lifting the mask requirement for outdoor areas.
Whether in the park, in the old town or in the supermarket parking lot: Outside, it is no longer necessary to wear a mask, says infectiologist Jan Rupp from the University Hospital in Lübeck. In view of the low incidence values, the risk of infection in the fresh air is extremely low. Rupp also advocates giving Schleswig-Holstein residents more responsibility: citizens can see for themselves when it makes sense to wear a mask. Like the Kiel virologist Helmut Fickenscher, the infectiologist Rupp belongs to the expert council of the state government.
Fickenscher: Mask compulsory only if there is little space
Fickenscher believes it only makes sense to wear a mask outside in particularly busy places such as beach promenades or train stations. “In the last few months I often had the impression that it was not necessary to wear a mask outside – for example in pedestrian zones. Another example would be parking lots in supermarkets, where I cannot see any corresponding overcrowding . ” In the supermarket, however, the virologist does not initially assume that there will be any changes there.
Mask requirement in indoor areas: Another four weeks?
For indoor areas – such as supermarkets – both scientists recommend sticking to the mask requirement for the time being. Because the risk of infection is significantly higher in closed rooms, says Jan Rupp. In addition, most people still have no access to vaccinations.
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