Doctors, airports and long-distance trains: Austria extends FFP2 mask requirement
From Monday, FFP2 masks will be required in more locations than previously thought - including doctors surgeries, on long-distance trains and in airports.
From January 25th, FFP2 masks will be required in all retail shops and supermarkets, along with public transport in Austria.
On Friday, January 22nd, Austria clarified that FFP2 masks would also be required in doctors practices, on long-distance trains, on planes and in airports.
Austrian medical experts criticised the government for its lack of clarity in the original announcement.
Christoph Reisner, President of the Lower Austrian Medical Association, said patients would be refused entry to practices if they did not comply.
"If these people come without an FFP2 mask, they are legally not allowed to enter the ordination," he said.
Everyone 14 years and over will be required to wear an FFP2 mask unless they have a medical exemption.
Masks required on long-distance transport
When the announcement was made, only ‘public transport’ was specified for inclusion.
Germany’s tighter mask requirement does not include long-distance trains, forcing the Austrian government to issue a clarification that FFP2 will also be required on long-distance trains.
Ab 25.01.2021 müssen in all unseren Zügen, Bussen und Bahnhöfen FFP2-Masken getragen werden. ?
Bitte achtet vor eurer Fahrt darauf, dass ihr nicht darauf vergesst und haltet – wenn möglich – den Sicherheitsabstand ein. ❤ pic.twitter.com/W99B6rRA6j
— ÖBB (@unsereOEBB) January 22, 2021
Anyone who does not wear a mask on Austrian federal railways (ÖBB) will risk a fine of €40.
READ MORE:
Where is wearing a mask compulsory in Austria?
EXPLAINED: Why is Austria making FFP2 masks mandatory?
FFP2 masks to be mandatory in public transport and shops
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From January 25th, FFP2 masks will be required in all retail shops and supermarkets, along with public transport in Austria.
On Friday, January 22nd, Austria clarified that FFP2 masks would also be required in doctors practices, on long-distance trains, on planes and in airports.
Austrian medical experts criticised the government for its lack of clarity in the original announcement.
Christoph Reisner, President of the Lower Austrian Medical Association, said patients would be refused entry to practices if they did not comply.
"If these people come without an FFP2 mask, they are legally not allowed to enter the ordination," he said.
Everyone 14 years and over will be required to wear an FFP2 mask unless they have a medical exemption.
Masks required on long-distance transport
When the announcement was made, only ‘public transport’ was specified for inclusion.
Germany’s tighter mask requirement does not include long-distance trains, forcing the Austrian government to issue a clarification that FFP2 will also be required on long-distance trains.
Ab 25.01.2021 müssen in all unseren Zügen, Bussen und Bahnhöfen FFP2-Masken getragen werden. ?
— ÖBB (@unsereOEBB) January 22, 2021
Bitte achtet vor eurer Fahrt darauf, dass ihr nicht darauf vergesst und haltet – wenn möglich – den Sicherheitsabstand ein. ❤ pic.twitter.com/W99B6rRA6j
Anyone who does not wear a mask on Austrian federal railways (ÖBB) will risk a fine of €40.
READ MORE:
Where is wearing a mask compulsory in Austria?
EXPLAINED: Why is Austria making FFP2 masks mandatory?
FFP2 masks to be mandatory in public transport and shops
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