Since Saturday, Frankfurt has also been subject to a stricter mask requirement when shopping and on public transport. This means that medical surgical masks or FFP2 masks must be worn on buses and trains with immediate effect. To remind Frankfurt residents of this, Frankfurt's mayor and chairman of the RMV supervisory board, Peter Feldmann, Hesse's transport and economics minister Tarek Al-Wazir, RMV managing director Knut Ringat and VGF managing director Thomas Wissgott distributed appropriate mouth/nose masks at Frankfurt's Hauptwache on Monday.
Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann says during the mask distribution campaign: "The pandemic has us firmly in its grip. Patience, precaution and consideration are guard rails for this difficult time. Frankfurt shows how it's done: the infection figures are going down. We were well above the average in Hesse, now we are below. People have worked hard to achieve this success. Now, however, we must counter the danger of mutated viruses with even better protection."
Since Saturday, 23, medical masks such as the familiar, usually green-blue, folding surgical masks or those with the KN95/N95 or FFP2 standards must be worn in local transport and in supermarkets, pharmacies and other shops that remain open. Everyday fabric masks - however painstakingly sewn and designed - or scarves are no longer permitted. The higher requirements are just one of many measures for the highest possible safety from infection in local transport.
"Local public transport is an essential part of services of general interest. Therefore, our common goal is clear even with the validity of the new Corona regulation: if possible, not to leave any passenger standing on the platform", says Tarek Al-Wazir. "Medical masks demonstrably protect better than cloth or other everyday masks against infection with the corona virus. As the virus becomes more contagious, the mask must also become better." Managing Director Ringat adds: "As a support to our passengers, we are distributing FFP2 protective masks free of charge at many stations for one week."
"The obligation to wear a medical mask goes in the right direction", Feldmann adds. "The discontinuation of public transport, which was also discussed, would only have punished all those who cannot afford a car. What is important to me is that people must be able to afford them - even those on low incomes. Here we need prompt, unbureaucratic solutions. And: there must be no extortionate prices. A fixed price, as demanded by the German Association of General Practitioners, is worth considering from my point of view."
VGF Managing Director Wissgott adds: "The VGF operates on all subway and tram lines according to the regular schedule, there are no restrictions on the service in Frankfurt. In this way, we are creating as much space as possible in the trains for the passengers who are also now dependent on us. With additional cleaning of the vehicles, disinfectant dispensers and innovative processes such as UV disinfection, we are ensuring as much safety as possible. To further strengthen our passengers' sense of safety, we monitor compliance with mouth-to-nose coverings on a daily basis. In this way, we create the conditions for public mobility in Frankfurt to be maintained to the fullest extent and as safely as possible, even under corona conditions."
Therefore, for all those who cannot stay at home: the right mask over the mouth AND nose (that one still has to emphasize that after almost a year of mandatory masks.), keep your distance wherever possible - this already makes an important contribution to pushing the numbers further down. Thank you!!!
