The President of the Bavarian State Parliament Ilse Aigner (CSU) has again imposed a mask requirement for the plenum. It is initially valid until the end of the month and therefore for the plenary session next Wednesday (October 27), as the state parliament announced. The background is several current corona cases.
Seven positive tests
According to a spokeswoman for the state parliament, seven MPs have recently tested positive for the corona virus: After four cases in the past week, three more have now been added. At first it remained unclear whether all positive tests are rapid tests or whether some results have already been confirmed with a more precise PCR test.
Aigner emphasized: “Even if general assemblies are possible in Bavaria and there is no general mask requirement, we as a constitutional body have to apply stricter standards to ourselves.” Although most MPs are double vaccinated, the coronavirus can be transmitted. “The mask requirement is an effective means and helps us all!”
Landtag: PCR tests for members of parliament
At the next plenary session, MEPs must also wear medical mouth and nose protection or an FFP2 mask when they are seated. According to the information provided, additional protection is provided by the partition panes and the ventilation system in the hall – both of which, however, are not new, but have been in use for months. For the plenary meeting on November 11th, a further consultation should be made and, depending on the infection situation, a decision will be taken on whether to wear a mask on site.
In the committees of the state parliament there is only one “urgent recommendation” to wear a mask. Air filters are in operation there and the corresponding hygiene clearances can be maintained, it was said to justify. In addition, the Landtag Office again offers possibilities for a PCR test.
Since the beginning of October, the members of the state parliament have no longer had to wear mouth and nose protection at their seats. Since then, the full plenary session and the committees have been able to meet again. Previously, the state parliament met with only half of the MPs during the corona pandemic.
FW MPs tested positive
One of those currently tested positive is a member of the Free Voters (FW) who attended a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday. “It is a breakthrough in vaccination in a double-vaccinated member of parliament who acted extremely responsibly and informed the parliamentary group about his positive test result as soon as the possible infection became known,” said FW parliamentary group leader Florian Streibl.
After the positive rapid test, a PCR test was carried out – the result is still pending. Several colleagues and employees who had closer contact with the possibly infected MPs reportedly went “into voluntary self-isolation”.
“To be on the safe side”: Aiwanger cancels appointments
According to his ministry, Minister of Economics and Free Voters boss Hubert Aiwanger had no direct contact with the MPs concerned. Therefore, Aiwanger does not have to be officially quarantined. Nevertheless, the minister canceled his public appointments for the next few days “just to be on the safe side”. He continues to be tested daily, the ministry said. Aiwanger is not vaccinated against Covid, and statements made by him that were skeptical of vaccinations made headlines in the summer.
FW parliamentary group leader Streibl emphasized that in view of the increased corona numbers, vaccination breakthroughs must be expected more and more – unvaccinated people in particular are now at high risk. “That is why I appeal to all people who have not yet had themselves vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible and still have regular tests. This is how we prevent the current fourth wave of infections from building up further.”
Landtag: Well over 80 percent of the MPs vaccinated
In September, a voluntary survey by the state parliament office showed: 86 percent of the 185 participating MPs are vaccinated against Corona. In the AfD, which is critical of the vaccination, apparently every third MP was vaccinated at the time of the survey.
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