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Traveling by bus and train in Germany will be more complicated than this week. Only those who have been vaccinated, contracted or tested can use public transport. In Germany, they talk about the 3G rule of words vaccinated, recovered, tested, which is behind the COVID-certificate and explain that the inspections will not be easy to organize, says DPA.
“Transport only with a valid ticket” – this is written on the doors of the subway, trams and buses. But one ticket is no longer enough. You haven’t been able to walk without a mask for a long time and now a third thing shouldn’t be missing: the 3G certificate. To protect themselves from the coronavirus, passengers are only allowed to travel if they can prove by a certificate or mobile application that they have been vaccinated, recovered from a coronavirus disease or tested.
It will take effect probably on Wednesday
It is not yet entirely clear when 3G will be applied to buses and trains. The federal government agreed to do so on Wednesday. But it also depends on when Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signs the amendments to the Infection Protection Act. The president’s office said it would not take effect before mid-week.
Exceptions for children
Children and adolescents who go to school, as well as children under the age of six, do not need any tests, vaccinations or sickness certificates to use local transport. Students are expected to take regular tests at school.
Testing
The daily commute to work, university, or shopping can be a daunting task for the unvaccinated – especially if you need a bus or train to get to the test site. The test must not be taken more than 24 hours before the start of the journey. Employers must take two tests a week. There is a free weekly “citizen test” at the test stations. Who pays for tests for the other days of the week is an open question.
Control in local transport
Evidence must be provided upon request. By law, companies are responsible for control – despite all warnings that their employees are not 3G police officers.
“Transport companies are already turning to the local police and public order services so that effective on-site inspections can be carried out together,” said the Association of German Transport Companies. At the same time, this increases the security our inspectors need to carry out this difficult task. “
Hessen’s transport associations have already agreed on random checks with the police and regulators. Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund chief Knut Ringat also called for personal responsibility – similar to speed limits that most people follow even without full control.
What the Deutsche Bahn railways do
The group wants to announce earlier this week how it will deal with the new requirements. Deutsche Bahn initially showed that it is not against 3G. It is true that it is easier to keep an eye on passengers on ICE high-speed trains than on the metro. But total control is not expected.
The risks of infection
With a mask, the risk of becoming infected with Covid is no higher on buses and trains than elsewhere, transport companies have said since the start of the pandemic, citing studies. Virologist Christian Drosten recently lowered expectations for the effect of 3G in traffic. We are in a time of high morbidity and we should expect that vaccinated people are also at significant risk of becoming infected without being diagnosed. This misses the goal of protecting unvaccinated people from infection.
Economic consequences
If the number of passengers on buses and trains is about three quarters of the pre-pandemic, transport companies expect a drop again. They also hope that in the new year the state rescue package for billions of euros will be extended for local transport.
Taxis
There are no restrictions on passenger access. 3G does not apply here. The industry is relieved that drivers do not have to check crown tests and vaccination certificates. “For the driver, however, as in all other jobs, 3G applies,” said Thomas Opperman, president of the Federal Taxi and Car Rental Association. However, if you get into a taxi, you must wear a mask.
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