Political party, The Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia, advocate for implementing a 2G system as of the 100th day.
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the state is currently leading in infection development across Germany. Amidst this rising trend, the Greens party has proposed a series of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, particularly focusing on long-distance train travel and bus journeys.
The Greens' proposal suggests the implementation of the 2G rule for various activities when the incidence rate exceeds 100. This rule would limit access to people who are either vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. However, the proposal does not specify an incidence rate for the application of the testing obligation for returning travelers.
For long-distance trains and bus journeys, the Greens propose the 2G rule, similar to its application in air travel. The validity of "door-opener tests" is proposed to be limited to 24 hours for antigen rapid tests and 48 hours for PCR tests.
Historically, the 2G and 3G rules have been used in public transport settings to control infection risks. The 2G rule limits access to people who are vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, while the 3G rule allows access to those who have tested negative, in addition to vaccinated or recovered individuals.
In NRW, the application of these rules to long-distance trains and bus journeys has varied, depending on the epidemiological conditions. As of the last known updates before 2025, long-distance trains sometimes followed federal-level guidance, while buses and regional transport typically moved to 3G or no restrictions once incidence stabilized at lower levels.
It is important to note that the current (2025) specific rules for long-distance trains and bus journeys in NRW are not available in the given search results. For exact and current policies, official NRW government or transport authority communications should be consulted.
The Greens' proposal also includes a testing strategy that allows for free and vaccination status-independent tests at the workplace, universities, and schools, at least twice, but preferably three times a week. This strategy aims to provide regular testing for all, regardless of vaccination status.
The Greens' proposal does not specify an incidence rate for the application of the testing obligation for returning travelers. Furthermore, it does not exempt returning travelers from the testing obligation, regardless of their vaccination status.
In addition, the Greens' proposal does not propose regular, vaccination status-independent tests at workplaces, universities, and schools for returning travelers. People who cannot be vaccinated or are under 18 years old will be exempt from the 2G rule, but they must undergo regular testing.
The Greens' proposal in the Düsseldorf state parliament also suggests the consistent implementation of the 3G rule from an incidence rate of 35. However, the proposal does not suggest the application of the 3G rule for returning travelers.
The impact of this proposal on the current infection trend in NRW is not specified. It is a proposal currently under consideration, and its implementation would depend on various factors, including the evolving COVID-19 situation and the decision of the state government.
The Greens' proposal, in the context of NRW, extends the 2G rule to long-distance train and bus journeys when the incidence rate exceeds 100, and suggests a testing strategy for the general population at workplaces, universities, and schools. However, it does not specify an incidence rate for travelers returning from other regions, nor does it exempt them from testing requirements, nor propose regular testing for returning travelers.
