Your current location:HOME >business >Merkel rejects calls for abolishing face mask requirement in German shops 正文
TIME:2024-05-01 01:52:38 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
A man wearing a face mask leaves a supermarket in Berlin, capital of Germany, July 7, 2020. German C
A man wearing a face mask leaves a supermarket in Berlin, capital of Germany, July 7, 2020. German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejects the idea of backing away from the face mask requirement in the country's shops, government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said here Monday. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
BERLIN, July 6 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejects the idea of backing away from the face mask requirement in the country's shops, government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said here Monday.
"Wherever the minimum distance cannot be guaranteed in public life, masks are an important and, from today's perspective, still indispensable means," stressed Seibert. The wearing of masks is still necessary in order to "keep the number of infections low and to protect other people and ourselves."
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister for Economic Affairs Harry Glawe has triggered a debate about abolishing the requirement to cover the mouth and nose in shops. "If the incidence of infection remains so low, I see no reason to continue to make masks mandatory for retail," Glawe told the German newspaper Welt on Sunday.
Other federal states in Germany are also considering the abolition of the face mask obligation in shops. "We are currently looking into whether we can do without compulsory masks when shopping," Saxony's Social Affairs Minister Petra Koepping told the paper.
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn called for caution on Sunday and warned that the coronavirus was still there. However, he also said he understood "the impatience and the desire for normality."
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the number of new COVID-19 infections in Germany increased by 219 within one day to 196,554, with 9,012 confirmed deaths on Monday. Except for a few local outbreaks, such as at a German meat processing plant where more than 1,500 employees tested positive, the number of new cases has been on a steady decline.
With 48,744 cases, Bavaria is one of the most affected states in Germany, according to the RKI. Last week, Bavaria was the first German state to approve free COVID-19 tests for all its 13 million inhabitants.
Bavaria's Minister President Markus Soeder stressed on Monday that his state would "by no means relax or abolish the obligation to wear masks." Wearing a face mask is "one of the very few protective equipment" against the coronavirus, he said. Enditem
Dodgers play an entire game without striking out once for the first time since 20062024-05-01 01:40
ABC managing director David Anderson faces Senate questions on Lattouf case, Gaza coverage2024-05-01 01:21
Commentary: Washington's overcapacity charges misleading2024-05-01 01:17
2025 Asian Winter Games to highlight environmental protection, technology2024-05-01 01:01
United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference2024-05-01 00:53
WHO says Gaza's Nasser hospital not functional after Israel raids2024-05-01 00:49
Commentary: Philippines' provocation undermines regional stability2024-05-01 00:13
Commentary: Philippines' provocation undermines regional stability2024-04-30 23:49
Politicians, dog experts vilify South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for killing her dog2024-04-30 23:23
Chinese state councilor meets Thai Princess Sirindhorn2024-04-30 23:22
Tesla's stock leaps on reports of Chinese approval of driving software2024-05-01 01:52
Chinese foundation donates sports equipment to Myanmar schools2024-05-01 00:32
Desert county in NW China's Xinjiang experiences bountiful cistanche harvest2024-05-01 00:14
Commentary: Xizang's remarkable development debunks groundless Western accusations2024-04-30 23:40
Thiago Silva, 39, breaks down in tears as he announces he is leaving Chelsea2024-04-30 23:37
China's cross2024-04-30 23:32
Hurricanes maintain unbeaten run in dominant win over Chiefs2024-04-30 23:19
ACWF News2024-04-30 23:12
Cachin receives souvenir from Nadal after losing to the 222024-04-30 23:11
Commentary: Recovery momentum of Chinese economy strengthened2024-04-30 23:06