Robert Habeck sits on a government plane en route to Canada. What’s immediately noticeable: He’s not wearing a mask.Image: DPA/K Neitfeld
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is traveling with Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and a large delegation for a three-day visit Canada, Altogether more than eighty passengers are on board the government aircraft. Although When photos and videos from flight end up online, they spark a lot of outrage, Recordings show passengers sitting together, some chatting animatedly. An important point emerges:
maskless faces far and wide Neither the Minister of Economics nor his fellow passengers have protected the mouth and nose. It appears that no one was wearing a mask during the eight-hour flight. Not only do politicians have a role model function, wearing a mask is also a legal obligation. In the Federal Infection Protection Act it says: in aircraft, “continues to apply on all domestic German routes and on flights Germany Take off or land”.
That’s why the photos cause a lot of outrage in social networks – and are a godsend for members of the opposition as well.
Entire plane full of masked politicians and journalists. Just a few days ago, Habek’s Green Allies @lisapaus Recommended that federal use masks require state schools. pic.twitter.com/rYQMNswoS9
— Janina Lionello (@janinisabel) 22 August 2022
Need a mask on government aircraft?
Are passengers not required to wear masks on government planes? This question was asked by many People on social media. “T-Online” chief reporter Miriam Holstein posted a “fun fact” for all the “trolls”: “For this flight, all passengers had to submit a PCR test that was not older than 24 hours.”
However, this statement is not enough for CDU politician Armin Lasquet. He hits back at Holstein that those who refer to the current laws are not trolls.
When journalists and government officials break the law (absurd, but legitimate) and someone reminds them of the law, they are not trolls. It is better to end non-European coercion and national single efforts. Ihttps://t.co/6VYKZWkAcg https://t.co/BE7ARa72zn
— Armin Laschet (@ArminLaschet) 22 August 2022
“The Pioneer” deputy editor Gordon Repinsky himself was on board the plane and tweeted: “All passengers on this flight are PCR tested immediately beforehand – which of course doesn’t happen on scheduled flights. So the risk of infection is low. must be less than.” However, he learns that when such pictures are made public it looks “stupid”. “This is another example of how a patchwork quilt of rules only destroys trust,” says Repinsky.
On this flight, all passengers are already PCR tested – which of course does not happen on scheduled flights. Therefore the risk of infection should be minimal. I had a positive + a negative PCR test before the trip last week – I didn’t fly.
— Gordon Repinski (@GordonRepinski) 22 August 2022
A government spokesman also confirmed the journalists’ statements: “No mask is required on Air Force flights. All participants are required to wear a mask.” Travel Must submit a current negative PCR test before starting. This ensures a high level of security.”
Twitter community outraged by “double standards”
To the Twitter community, this sounds like an “excuse”, “double standards” and “overconfidence”. After all, even “ordinary citizens” shouldn’t go mask-free Vacation to flyEven if he presents a negative PCR test.
According to climate policy spokesman for the FDP, Olaf in der Beek, there should be no “two-class society”. He called for an end to the mask requirement on Twitter – as did his party colleague Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.
Actually, it is difficult to tell people after pictures of government aircraft. #mask duty To explain and justify. A two-class society cannot and should not exist. The Easiest and Best Solution: Eliminate the Compulsion to Wear a Mask!
— Olaf in Beak MDB (@olafinderbeek) 23 August 2022
Despite the resentment, the mask will remain mandatory
Even if people are offended by these pictures that Mask requirement for scheduled flights won’t be phased out anytime soon, One must continue to wear an FFP2 mask or a medical mask as prescribed in Article 28B of the Infection Protection Act. among other things, is excluded from liability Children under six years. You can only remove the mask here Meal and drink.
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