Lower Saxony is relaxed in the Corona autumn and does not tighten the rules. However, the state government has prepared a plan with several scenarios.
Hanover – The good news first: the rules of the crown in Lower Saxony will not be tightened from October. On the contrary, where possible, it relaxes further. As Health Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) in Hanover said Tuesday, the FFP2 mask requirement in local public transport will be history from October. From then on, a simple medical mask should suffice. The so-called basic protection will come into effect on 1 October 2022.
Corona rules from October: FFP2 mask request dropped on buses and trains – “Lower Saxony prepared for all scenarios”
In medical facilities such as doctors’ offices, hospitals or physiotherapy practices, however, the FFP2 mask will remain in place in the Corona fall. The reason for the lax crown rules in Lower Saxony since October is the low occupancy of hospitals with Covid 19 patients. There will also be a testing requirement at these facilities, which can be reduced to twice a week for vaccinated or cured employees.
With the new regulation on masks in local transport, Lower Saxony will adapt to other federal states from October. However, the FFP2 mask requirement on buses and trains in Lower Saxony will continue to apply until the end of September.
New crown rules from October: Lower Saxony with a two-stage plan for regulation in aggravated situations
Should the situation in the clinics still worsen significantly, Lower Saxony has stricter crown rules, for which there should then be new regulations. The Behrens ministry has prepared a two-step plan for this, in addition to the basic protection described.
“Winter Tire Scenario” – Phase 1 of the Crown Rules in Lower Saxony
- If the situation were to worsen significantly, this would express itself in a difficult situation in the hospitals of Lower Saxony, in Tougher level 1 protections planned.
- Threshold values should be a Incidence of 7 days of hospitalization per 100,000 inhabitants of more than 15 and a simultaneous use of intensive care capacities with COVID patients of more than 10 percent. In view of the large decoupling of the 7-day incidence from the burden on hospitals due to severe disease progression, it will no longer be an indicator in itself for the tightening of protective measures in the future.
- However, it remains The 7-day incidence continues to be importantto measure the development of the general pressure of infection in the population. A very high viral load can lead to severe staff shortages and thus an excessive load on critical infrastructure.
- In phase 1, in addition to the basic protective measures, a general requirement of the mask inside They are valid. This obligation also applies to catering and indoor events. Companies rely on daily testing as access restrictions, regardless of vaccination status Exceptions to the mask requirement are possible.
- One In level 1, masks are also mandatory for school employeesto protect staff and to ensure lectures.
–If hospitals are under extreme stress, most of the additional Level 2 measures under the Infection Protection Act require a state parliament resolution to “determine a specific risk”. In this situation, the state government would ask the state parliament to initiate a corresponding procedure, after which there would then be even stricter crown rules in Lower Saxony.
“Snow chain scenery” – level 2 of the crown rules in Lower Saxony
- To die Level 2 limits they are higher than those achieved so far during the pandemic in Lower Saxony (incidence of 7 days of hospitalization above 20, occupancy of intensive care beds with COVID patients above 15%).
- In phase 2, the FFP2 mask mandatory indoors be introduced. Even at events FFP2 masks are therefore mandatory outdoorswhen distances cannot be maintained.
- Pupils in class 5 should therefore have one again Wear a face mask in class and you would be forced to do two quick corona tests per week to undergo. In this scenario, mandatory hygiene concepts and distance requirements are also foreseen in publicly accessible interiors, in the catering sector and at events.
The new national infection protection law was approved by the Federal Council on Friday. One of the central provisions, which will apply from 1 October 2022 to 7 April 2023, is the obligation to wear a mask at national level in long-distance trains, clinics and doctors’ offices. This obligation should no longer apply to aircraft.
Corona rules from October: in Lower Saxony, the number of infections will increase in the coming weeks
“After the summer wave has flattened, we are currently in a situation characterized by a certain background noise in infections and a relatively uncritical situation in hospitals,” explains Minister Daniela Behrens. However, experts broadly agree that the number of infections will increase in the coming weeks and months. The reasons for this are the relocation of activities indoors and the seasonal nature of the virus.
Behrens: “How big this wave will be is not yet predictable. However, Lower Saxony will be prepared for all scenarios with the calendar presented today.” the still predominant and relatively mild variant ommicron BA.5 optimistic about next autumn, says Behrens.
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