New rules in Bavarian schools: fuss over end of mask requirement

Mask-free subjects – especially for older students in Bavaria, have not been available for several months due to corona. While the number of infections is still high, the need for masks for everyone at the start of the new school week no longer applies. This is what the amended Federal Infection Protection Act provides, and Bavaria now enforces it. What exactly applies to schools in Bavaria in the future? What do teachers and students say about this? An overview.

Masks are not mandatory for everyone around the school building

Ten days ago, Bavaria relaxed its obligation to wear a mask while sitting in class, initially for elementary school children, but now for 5th and 6th grade students. Now it has been completely removed – in the entire school building, the Ministry of Education writes in its most recent letter to parents. This means that you no longer have to wear masks in “classrooms and meeting areas and rooms used by school day offers and lunch time maintenance”. “It applies equally to students, school staff and all visitors.”

Piazsolo advises: Wear a mask outside the classroom

According to Education Minister Michael Piazzo (Free Wahler) the end of the need for a mask in the classroom is “definitely a relief” for many students on the one hand, and “beneficial for the lesson” on the other. Piazsolo advises people to voluntarily wear safety masks wherever they attend classes – such as on corridors, stairs or break halls.

The Ministry of Culture insists that a mask can of course be worn voluntarily in class. After the infection is confirmed in a class, it is recommended to wear a protective mask for five days. By the way, according to Piazolo, schools can not order the mask by home rights – only one recommendation is possible.

Testing is currently mandatory

Despite the need for masks, the Minister of Education promised that there would still be “high levels of security” in schools – especially through ongoing routine inspections. At least until the Easter holidays, there must be a compulsory test in schools.

On Tuesday, after the cabinet meeting, Piazsolo called for the tests to continue beyond the end of the holiday on April 24: “My position is to resume them after the Easter holiday.” The Bavarian cabinet will take the issue seriously next week. “It certainly depends on the growth of numbers. We’ll see you again.”

In Bavaria, students are tested three times a week. In grades one through six, there are two PCR tests that are considered more reliable than rapid tests. According to the ministry, additional tests will be carried out after a class infection.

3G and basic health activities for visitors

The Ministry of Education has said that basic health rules are “very important” due to the high incidence. These include regular airing of classrooms, frequent hand washing, and adherence to cough and sneeze habits.

The 3G rule applies to visitors upon entering the school building: Visitors must submit valid proof of vaccination or recovery or current negative test.

Teacher unions are afraid to teach face to face

Teachers’ associations are very concerned about eliminating the need for masks. Simone Fleishmann, president of the Bavarian Teachers Association (BLLV), complained on Tuesday that tests alone were not enough. There are “very high incidence” especially in children and adolescents. Many are sick or isolated, and lessons are often canceled due to lack of teachers. “Leisure now is the risk of having fewer lessons for students,” Fleischman said.

The task force of the Bavarian Teachers’ Associations also considers face-to-face teaching to be “severely endangered” due to the need for masks. Everyone involved wanted a school without a mask. “But schools do not come and can not cope with the high rate of isolated infections. At some point it will be down to the subject – face-to-face teaching.” The mask is a very effective and at the same time easy way to reduce the infection. “That’s why we see this relaxation in schools so important at this time.”

Of course, there are teachers who welcome the new regulation. For example, a teacher from Augsburg County tweeted: “I’ve been looking forward to seeing my students’ faces without masks since Monday.”

State Student Council: “Very soon”

The State Student Council in Bavaria is skeptical about the outcome of the mask requirement at this time. Fabia Klein, vice state student spokeswoman for high schools, when asked by PR, says the state student council is in favor of gradually reducing the need for masks in principle. In the eyes of student representatives, it is now “too early” to eliminate it altogether.

Klein considers it reasonable to relax in view of the PCR pool tests in the fifth and sixth grades. The Nuremberg student, on the other hand, criticizes the decision of the need for a mask in the upper classes – especially aimed at the Abyssinian exams in high schools within four weeks, which is at stake. The State Student Council has therefore requested the students to continue wearing the mask voluntarily. After all, the infection rate in many schools is currently very high.

“More potential for conflict”

Fabia Klein also fears that wearing safety masks could lead to tensions and conflicts in schools. “I believe there is a lot of potential for controversy,” he says. Because now it is up to the students to decide whether or not to wear the mask. “When federal and state governments find a common solution, responsibility cannot be transferred to children and youth.”

Looking at social networks already shows the potential for conflict caused by the need for a mask. Many users are already reporting discussions among students: some are forcing them to take off their masks – others are instructing their classmates to continue wearing masks. Still others complain that teachers put pressure on children and young people with emergency mask recommendations.

No hotspot control = no mask required

The only way to extend the mask requirement in schools is to use the so-called hotspot rule. To this end, the state parliament must determine the “risk of a dynamic contagious situation” in certain areas or throughout Bavaria. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had already announced on Monday that the state government would make no effort because the basis of federal law is so vague. In the view of the CSU, the gradual elimination of the need for masks in many indoor areas is misguided.

In the state legislature on Wednesday, the Greens demanded the introduction of an emergency motion to introduce hotspot regulation – thus extending the need for masks in “commonly used interiors”. The request was rejected.

In contrast, the AfD parliamentary committee in the middle of the week welcomed the decision on the need for a mask “more than delayed”. AfD Youth Spokesman Jan Schiffers also called for “an immediate end to the unnecessary and mass testing of healthy children.”

FDP health expert Dominic Spitzer in the state parliament expects the number of infections to be high among school children. However, it is an illusion to believe that the need for an FFP2 mask at school will permanently protect children and young people from infection, he told BR24. “What’s in school or in school? That’s when students stick their heads together.” In addition, the corona is usually “not significantly studied” in children and adolescents. He therefore considers it “absolutely” reasonable to put an end to the need for masks in school, said a doctor FDP politician. On the other hand, many scientists have campaigned to extend the need for masks.