If the incidences rise again, shopping in the supermarket could also change for customers. The retail sector is also preparing for this.
NRW – Most consumers will probably still remember it: mouth and nose protection on the face, hygiene dispensers at the entrance and markings in front of the cash registers so that the minimum distance can be maintained. In the coming autumn and winter, these corona hygiene measures could again have a significant impact on the shopping experience in supermarkets and discounters. Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Edeka are now making clear statements on the RUHR24 request.
| state government of North Rhine-Westphalia | Coalition of CDU and Greens |
| prime minister | Hendrik Wust |
| Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs | Karl Josef Laumann |
The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia decides against stricter corona protection measures
According to the federal government, new corona protection measures will apply from October 1, 2022 to April 1. This means, for example, that FFP2 masks are mandatory for passengers aged 13 and over in public transport and for access to hospitals and care facilities.
In addition to the nationwide corona rules, the individual federal states could decide on further measures, the federal government explains. This sometimes includes a mask requirement in publicly accessible interiors, such as in supermarkets and discounters.
But that is exactly what the state government in NRW does not do. “Stricter protective measures are currently not proportionate,” it says.
Shopping tour at Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Edeka is still possible without masks for the time being
Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann explains that “the numbers are currently “low” compared to early summer”. Accordingly, “mandatory stricter protective measures (…) would currently not be proportionate”.
In fact, according to the RKI, the current 7-day incidence in North Rhine-Westphalia over the past 90 days is 346.7 (as of Wednesday, October 5, 2022). In addition to Bielefeld, Paderborn, Soest, Olpe, the Rhein-Sieg district and Heinsberg, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Duisburg, Oberhausen, Bottrop, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Bochum and the Ennepe-Ruhr district in the Ruhr area currently have higher incidences of between 200 and 300 affected, reports the WDR .
Health Minister Laumann continues to ask citizens to be careful
But if you want to go carefree to the next Lidl, Edeka or Rewe on a shopping tour, you should be warned. After all, the waiver of “a mandatory, general mask requirement indoors (…) does not mean that there are currently no risks”, Laumann continued.
In the same breath, he emphasizes that wearing a mask “still protects your own health and that of your fellow human beings”. Furthermore, the NRW Minister of Health appeals to the personal responsibility of the citizens.
Supermarkets and discounters are waiting for country specifications
Against the background of the requirements of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, Aldi Nord and Süd, Rewe, Edeka and the Schwarz Group made a clear statement to RUHR24 about a possible mask requirement. The tenor: One should comply with the applicable country regulations, implement the respective regionally applicable general decrees and the Corona Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance and be in contact with the responsible authorities and health authorities.
Accordingly, customers in NRW branches of Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland, Rewe and Edeka will no longer have to wear masks for the time being. They should keep sufficient distance independently and show consideration for their fellow human beings.
Aldi Nord can “implement short-term” various measures
Edeka is “observing the developments very closely”, while the Schwarz Group, as the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland, “does not want to make any statements about future developments at this point in time”, reports echo24 . Aldi Süd refers to its still existing disinfection stations at the shopping trolley boxes and in the entrance area.
The supermarkets and discounters are watching the applicable rules with eagle eyes and seem to be prepared for the possible introduction of tougher corona protection measures. Aldi Nord assures that “due to the experience of the past two years (…) various measures can be implemented at short notice”.
Supermarkets and discounters are still keeping a low profile with regard to concrete plans
In other words: If the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia decides to make masks compulsory indoors again and a higher danger level is declared, then shopping sprees at Aldi, Lidl, Kaufland, Rewe and Edeka will most likely only be possible with a mask again. And maybe with shorter opening hours, as reported by wa.de. Customers will have to get used to this as well as to the generally rapidly increasing food prices.
Then there will probably be hygiene dispensers, floor markings and possibly even additional staff in the entrance of the individual branches waiting for customers everywhere. However, Aldi, Rewe, Edeka and the Schwarz Group did not want to give any precise information about their specific plans.
