Dusseldorf: COVID-19 Protective Measures in North Rhine-Westphalia to Expire on February 28 - Coronavirus Hotline and Test Centre Shutdown
The Coronavirus Protection Ordinance in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will expire on February 28, 2023, marking a significant shift in the region's approach to COVID-19 protective measures. After this date, NRW will no longer enforce specific protective measures via this ordinance, reflecting the broader relaxation of legal mandates across Germany.
From late 2022 and early 2023, most federal and state-level COVID-19 restrictions, including mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination rules, were largely lifted or significantly relaxed in many German states, including NRW. Legal COVID-19 protective mandates transitioned from broad government ordinances to recommendations and workplace-specific rules, with ongoing attention on hospitalizations as a key metric for reinstating measures if necessary.
In NRW, the obligation to wear masks for employees in medical practices will no longer apply, as will the obligation for employees in hospitals and nursing homes. However, the obligation to wear masks for visitors in these facilities remains in place. The special regulations for nursing homes and facilities for assisted living will not be extended in NRW.
Residents of Düsseldorf are advised to take at least one self-test if they have symptoms and to wear a medical mask outside of their own household. It is also recommended for residents to avoid contact with vulnerable persons if they test positive.
The test center at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz will close due to the expiration of the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance.
Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann stated that the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance had reliably guided NRW through the pandemic for almost three years. The North Rhine-Westphalia Data Protection Authority (LDI NRW) continues to advise on the legally compliant disposal of COVID-19 3G proofs and employee health data after changes to the Infection Protection Act.
For further guidance, residents of Düsseldorf should consult their family doctor. It is important to note that this article provides a summary of the changes and is not a comprehensive list of the updated protective measures in NRW after February 28, 2023. For detailed and up-to-date measures currently applicable in NRW, consultation of the NRW Ministry of Health or official regional government sources is recommended.
In addition, there will no longer be a ban on entering and working in vulnerable facilities for positively tested persons in NRW. However, residents of Düsseldorf are advised to exercise caution and follow the advice of their healthcare providers to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
References:
- NRW Ministry of Health
- LDI NRW
- German Data Protection Authority
- As the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is about to expire, the focus on health-and-wellness will shift towards personal responsibility and self-care, as residents are advised to take a self-test if they have symptoms and wear a medical mask outside their household.
- The relaxation of legal mandates extends to medical practices, hospitals, and nursing homes, where employees will no longer be obligated to wear masks, but visitors still need to maintain the mask rule.
- Mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, and CBD are crucial elements in maintaining overall health, and as COVID-19 measures ease, it's essential for residents to consult their family doctor, referencing reputable sources like the NRW Ministry of Health and LDI NRW for updated protective measures and data protection guidelines.
