The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ), with the participation of the Federal Chancellery, have drawn up a proposal for the further development of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), the content of which was presented on August 3.
The proposal by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) provides for situation-adjusted legal bases from October 1, 2022, to April 7, 2023. The previous pandemic-related special regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) will be limited until September 30, 2022.
Studios remain open, no access restrictions
The good news for the fitness industry: according to Dr. Marco Buschmann, Federal Minister of Justice, there will be no renewed lockdowns in the fall and winter. That means gyms will remain open and there will be no restrictions on access.
"Lockdowns and curfews are rejected by our concept. Instead, we rely on measures that are effective and at the same time reasonable. And in certain situations, a mask requirement is also reasonable (...) In culture, leisure, sports and gastronomy, however, there must be exceptions for tested, newly vaccinated and newly recovered people. In these social areas, it is right to rely more on the individual responsibility of civil society - as most other European countries do (...)"
Federal Minister of Justice Dr. Marco Buschmann
In addition, all those who present proof of vaccination or a current test certificate can train without a mask. This also applies to newly recovered persons. Only in the case of concrete danger to the critical infrastructure and a decision by the state parliament are capacity limitations possible.
It is also envisaged that the Länder can order certain further protective measures to the extent necessary to ensure the functioning of the healthcare system or other critical infrastructure and to maintain regular schooling in attendance.
"Germany should be better prepared than in previous years for the next Corona winter. To this end, we have developed a 7- point plan (...) This includes the nationwide use of masks and targeted testing for those at particular risk. As of Oct. 1, the states can use mandatory masks indoors. If the situation dictates, mandatory masks will also apply at outdoor events and caps will be imposed in public spaces(...)"
Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach:
An overview of the protective measures that will apply nationwide as of Oct. 1
- Obligation to wear masks in air and public long-distance passenger transport
- Obligation to wear masks and to provide proof of testing for access to hospitals and fully and partially inpatient care facilities and comparable facilities, as well as for employees in outpatient care services and comparable service providers during their work.
Optional, more extensive protective measures by the federal states
- Mandatory wearing of masks in public transport.
- Mandatory wearing of masks in indoor areas accessible to the public. Provide for mandatory exemption at recreational, cultural, or sporting events, in recreational and cultural facilities, and in food service establishments and during sporting activities for persons who have proof of testing or who have recovered or who are fully vaccinated and for whom the last vaccination was no more than three months ago.
- Require testing in certain community facilities (e.g., facilities housing asylum seekers, detention facilities, children's homes) and schools and day care centers.
- Requirement to wear masks in schools and other educational institutions for employees and for students from the fifth school year onwards, if this is necessary to maintain an orderly
- Requirement to wear masks at events held outdoors if a minimum distance of 1.5 m cannot be maintained, and at events held indoors that are open to the public. The exemption for recovered, freshly vaccinated or tested persons does not then apply.
- Mandatory hygiene concepts (provision of disinfectants, avoidance of unnecessary contact, ventilation concepts) for businesses, facilities, trades, offers and events from the recreational, cultural and sports sectors for publicly accessible indoor spaces where several people are present.
- Ordering a minimum distance of 1.5 m in public spaces.
- Establishing upper limits of people for events in indoor spaces open to the public.
The proposal for the further development of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) is expected to be approved by the federal cabinet before the end of August.
Image source: #219776591 frank peters / stock.adobe.com
Source: BODYMEDIA
Published on: 8 August 2022