The mask requirement for children is to be changed. FFP-2 masks will soon no longer be required for children and adolescents between the ages of six and 16.
Germany – The nationwide corona measures include an FFP2 mask requirement for children from a 7-day incidence of 100 – for example on buses and trains, when visiting the hairdresser or doctor’s appointments. This should now tip, as reported by RUHR24 *. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn gives the reason: “Masks have to fit so that they protect.”
| Federal Ministry of Health (BGM) | highest federal authority of the Federal Republic of Germany |
| Authority management | Jens Spahn (CDU), Federal Minister for Health |
| Headquarters | Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia |
FFP2 mask requirement for children – Corona regulation poses problems for pharmacies
The background to the planned change is therefore that the regulation requiring children to wear FFP2 masks was not properly thought out from the start. The Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung (DAZ) explains that pharmacies have always faced the problem of not knowing which FFP2-2 masks are suitable for children.
At the request of the Federal Association of German Pharmacists’ Associations (ABDA), the Federal Ministry of Health stated in March 2021: “With regard to sizes for children, after consultation with the BMAS, there are no FFP2 masks that are expressly designed for children and also meet the relevant standard.”
Corona mask requirement: Risk assessment for FFP2 masks in children is missing
The declaration also stated that the smallest size for FFP2 masks according to the EN 149 standard is size XS. However, no risk assessment has yet been carried out, for example, the conditions of use for children or the breathing capacity.
In other words: So far there is no respiratory protection for children that complies with the regulation. Even more: As the Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung explains, the sale of children’s FFP2 masks is actually not allowed (more information on the coronavirus in NRW * on RUHR24).
Pharmacists explain: There are no FFP2 masks for children
Because such masks are not medical devices, but personal protective equipment. As such, these were used for occupational safety, which is why “naturally” there could be no FFP2 masks for children.
The Federal Minister of Health has now recognized the problem and wants to act accordingly. As Bild.de first reported, the minister made it clear: “Since there are hardly any suitable FFP2 masks for children and young people, we are removing the corresponding obligation for them in federal law.”
FFP2 mask requirement for children falls – Infection Protection Act is now to be changed
Specifically, Jens Spahn (CDU) refers to Section 28b of the Infection Protection Act, which so far provides for an obligation to wear FFP2 masks also for children in the following cases:
- for body-hugging medical or therapeutic services
- when visiting the hairdresser and when taking care of the feet
- as well as local (or long-distance) public transport, including taxis and school transport
New corona regulation for children: medical mask instead of FFP2 mask
According to DAZ-online , Section 28b (9) of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) is now to be supplemented by the following sentence: “For people who have reached the age of 6 and have not yet reached the age of 16, a respirator (FFP2 or comparable) is required instead of a respirator ) wearing a medical face mask (mouth and nose protection) is permitted. “
Specifically for parents and children: With a 7-day incidence of over 100, children will no longer need an FFP2 mask at the doctor, for therapy, at the hairdresser or on buses and trains. A simple cloth mask is not enough.
Because medical (OP) masks are also required. According to the Federal Minister of Health, these are available “in the right size”. Children under the age of six are also completely exempt from the mask requirement – they do not have to wear mouth and nose protection.
Changes to the Infection Protection Act should be decided quickly
The Bundestag is expected to deal with the corresponding amendment to the Infection Protection Act on Thursday (May 20), * also reports Merkur.de. At the end of May it still has to pass the Federal Council.
The change also provides for explicit penalties for vaccination passport forgers. * The change also provides for the possibility that not only doctors but also pharmacies can enter corona vaccinations in the planned digital vaccination cards. * RUHR24 and Merkur.de are part of the IPPEN.MEDIA editorial network.
Headline list image: © INA FASSBENDER
