End of Corona Protection Measures in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): Dusseldorf's Hotline and Test Center Shut Down on February 28th
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), changes to COVID-19 protective measures have been announced, effective from March 1, 2023. These adjustments come after the expiration of the Coronavirus Protection Regulation on February 28, 2023, which was first issued in March 2020.
With the expiration of the regulation, most federal states, including NRW, have ended the formal Coronavirus Protection Regulations that mandated wide restrictions such as mask mandates or access restrictions. This means that legal requirements like mandatory masks in most public indoor spaces and other strict rules will be largely lifted.
In NRW, after March 1, 2023, the following changes are expected:
- No general mask mandate in public transport, shops, or other public indoor spaces, although masks may still be recommended or required by individual businesses or facilities.
- No general access restrictions or proof of vaccination/testing required.
- Continued recommendations for vulnerable individuals to protect themselves, for example by wearing masks or avoiding crowded places.
- Specific protective rules may remain for certain high-risk settings like hospitals or nursing homes, but these are decided by the institutions themselves or by health authorities on a case-by-case basis.
- Emphasis on personal responsibility, vaccination, and hygiene measures such as hand washing and ventilation.
For precise, current rules, residents are advised to consult the NRW Ministry of Health or local health authority websites. It's important to note that no current regulation text was found in the search results, and this overview aligns with typical policy transitions in Germany post-regulation expiration in early 2023.
In Düsseldorf, residents are urged to perform at least one self-test if they have symptoms. A medical mask should be worn outside of one's own household. The test center at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz and the Corona hotline in Düsseldorf will close.
The state of NRW will waive the mask requirement for employees in doctor's practices. At the federal level, the testing requirements in hospitals and nursing homes will be lifted. If a resident tests positive, they should avoid contact with vulnerable persons.
For further guidance, residents should consult their family doctor. Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann stated that the Coronavirus Protection Regulation has guided them through the pandemic for almost three years. There will be no more access and employment ban for positively tested persons in vulnerable facilities.
These changes aim to shift responsibility to individual institutions and people to take voluntary protective measures depending on the risk situation. It's crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and follow recommended guidelines to ensure the continued safety of our communities.
- The expiration of Coronavirus Protection Regulations in NRW has led to the removal of legal requirements for masks in most public indoor spaces, but it's still recommended to wear masks in some facilities.
- In healthcare settings like hospitals or nursing homes, specific protective rules may remain, primarily decided by the institutions themselves or health authorities based on the case-at-hand.
- The emphasis in North Rhine-Westphalia now lies on personal responsibility, vaccination, and maintaining hygiene measures like hand washing and ventilation to ensure health and wellness, as well as mental health, in the community, while fitness and exercise are encouraged as part of the individual's responsibility to maintain their overall health.
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