On the flights of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, masks are now compulsory again in government aircraft. After public criticism because wearing masks was only recommended on a trip to Canada, the Chancellery tightened the Corona rules for a day trip by the head of government to Prague on Monday.
“In view of the public debate of the past few days, the Federal Chancellery has decided to make it mandatory to wear masks throughout the flight, in addition to a current PCR test,” said a government spokesman on request.
The test regulations have also been tightened. In addition to a PCR test no more than 24 hours before departure, all passengers also had to take a rapid test prior to check-in.
The Air Force relaxed the corona rules for government machines in July. Since then, there has no longer been a general obligation to wear masks, only a recommendation. However, the Federal President, Chancellor or Minister have the option of ordering additional protective measures.
Scholz had refrained from traveling to Canada with Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) last week. A video and photos from the outbound flight then caused criticism. It showed Habeck and journalists sitting close together without masks.
