Where the protective mask is required & what the penalties for non-compliance are: Interesting facts
Wearing a respirator to protect against the corona virus remains a controversial issue. While mouthguards are part of everyday clothing in some Asian countries, citizens of other countries do not want to get used to this measure despite the pandemic and continue to refuse it. This in turn causes some governments to legally require wearing a protective mask, which of course causes outrage among many opponents. In Germany, too, it is being considered that the protective mask will become mandatory in public.
In which other countries is the protective mask compulsory and under what conditions? What are the penalties for not complying with the regulation and why are some nations struggling with it than others? We have put together some interesting information on the subject for you below. Of course, you have to decide for yourself whether you are ultimately required to wear a mask.
Should the protective mask become mandatory in Germany?
You don't have to wear a face mask in Germany yet. However, there is debate about whether a protective mask should also be introduced for us. After all, many countries are now leading the way. Korea even proves that this has curbed the spread of the virus. However, most Germans are against it. What is the reason?
Certainly one of the reasons is that you don't really know whether wearing the face masks really works. The WHO says only the sick should wear them so as not to infect healthy people, while other experts recommend the protective mask for everyone. Alexander Kekulé, for example, is one of those virologists who advocate wearing masks. “The calculation is very simple: Statistically, an infected person infects up to three other people with Corona. With simple mouth and nose protection, everyone can help reduce the infection rate to less than one person. If we reach this quota, the epidemic will be over, ”said the BILD virologist.
Skepticism among the Germans
But precisely the WHO position is one of the reasons why Germans don't want to wear a respirator: “If it doesn't protect me, but only others, why should I wear it?” What sounds violent at first is actually psychologically normal . People are more willing to make sacrifices (even if just wearing a simple mask) when they save their own lives. This thinking is not only individual, it can also be typical of an entire nation and Germany is one of them.
In addition, Germans value their individuality. However, this is lost when you wear a face mask that also covers your nose. In contrast, collectivism applies in Asia, for example. A person's distinctive face doesn't matter. That is why wearing a mask is easier and faster in these countries, even without an existing pandemic. Nobody is bothered by the fact that the protective mask is currently mandatory.
A nation's faith also plays a role when it comes to voluntarily wearing a respirator. And if this does not work, governments are forced to introduce a protective mask. So far, however, Jena has been the first German city to wear a mask when shopping.
Protective masks have recently become mandatory in Austria
Until now, the protective mask was only mandatory in supermarkets. Since April 14, 2020, however, it has also had to be worn in all other shops and public transport – after the population had a week to equip themselves with mouth protection. It doesn't necessarily have to be a special mask with a filter. Alternatively, a simple cloth is also possible.
It is only important that both the mouth and nose are covered. Those who do not comply with the rules risk a fine of 50 euros. The agreements between employer and employee apply in the workplace. A mouthguard is not legally required there. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz commented as follows: “This step is necessary to further reduce the spread.”
The Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, a surgical mask is required as a protective mask. The Czech Republic is also the first European country to introduce a mask requirement. On March 29, the Czech Prime Minister even addressed US President Donald Trump with the message: “Mr. President, try to fight the virus the Czech way. Wearing a simple fabric mask reduces the spread of the virus by 80%. ”
A fine of 10,000 crowns can be paid if the Czech Republic does not comply with this law and is caught in public without a protective mask. That corresponds to about 364 euros.
Slovakia
After the Czech Republic, Slovakia also introduced a law requiring the population to wear respirators. And although other countries are rather skeptical about masking, the Slovaks, like the Czechs, firmly believe that this measure can curb the spread of Covid-19. You have to pay a fine of 1000 euros if you do not adhere to the mask requirement.
The protective mask has recently become mandatory in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the protective mask has been mandatory in public and in closed rooms for a few days (since April 12, 2020) and should initially only last until April 26, 2020. This law was introduced on March 30, but was then withdrawn by Health Minister Kiril Ananiev. The reason he gave was that there was no public consensus.
A fine can be imposed for violations. Protective masks are in short supply in pharmacies, which is why you can only buy a breathing mask from one piece. That is why not only masks can be used as protection, but also other types of mouth protection, such as a scarf or self-made protective masks. Businesses receive financial support from the government.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the protective mask has been compulsory since March 29, 2020, and in the canton of Sarajevo since March 30, 2020, even wearing protective gloves. Violations can be punished. It is similar in North Macedonia. Masks and gloves have to be worn in supermarkets and shops, just like gloves.
Morocco
The mask protection obligation goes beyond Europe, of course. For example, Morocco is one of the African countries with this regulation. The masks manufacture textile factories in the country itself at the request of the government, with the capacity expected to increase from 3.3 million per day to 6.6 million. The population can then buy these respirators at a low price of 0.8 dirham (0.07 cents).
A big difference to the regulations in Europe is the punishment for those who violate the new law. As long as the protective mask is compulsory, citizens who do not abide by it can face a penalty of up to 1300 dirham (just under 115 euros) or a prison sentence of up to three months.
The protective mask is mandatory in India
In India, the government has sealed off many parts of the country. These are areas that are particularly densely populated. Areas in which the protective mask is required in public include the capital city of Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. So that this law is complied with, the police take drastic measures, as various videos show online.
Squats, slaps in the face and even beatings with sleeping sticks are just a few of the punishments that “enemies of society” have to accept if they do not comply with the mask protection requirement or leave the house for no good reason. Prison sentences of up to two years can also be imposed. The reason for these drastic punishments is that the country could not cope with a pandemic. No country could.
Considering the high population, an expected rate of infection of 40% of the population would mean that around 70 million people would need a hospital. 20 million would need intensive care. The nursing staff of the hospitals in India says: “In India we cannot afford to lose this war.”
The Far East – Mouthguards in China, Taiwan, South Korea and Co.
Everyone has seen pictures or videos from Asian countries with people wearing face masks. In countries such as China, mouthguards are normal and part of everyday life – on the one hand to protect yourself from high air pollution, on the other hand to protect others from being infected when you yourself are sick. Even with a simple cold and even more since the outbreak of the corona virus. The fact that the protective mask also became mandatory is said to have contributed to the fairly rapid successful control of the virus in China, Taiwan and South Korea.
Israel
As in Bulgaria, the mask requirement has been in force in Israel since April 12, 2020. This regulation of the Ministry of Health applies to the public, whereby small children under the age of 6 and people with disabilities who cannot wear respiratory masks are excluded from the regulation .
In the USA only a few protective masks are required
In the United States, wearing a respirator remains largely voluntary, as is the case in Germany. Los Angeles recently introduced public wearing to address the spread. The United States is currently prescribing most of the deaths caused by Covid-19 worldwide, which puts it ahead of Italy itself. Many experts therefore recommend wearing masks that cover the mouth and nose, taking Asian countries as an example: China, Japan and Taiwan, i.e. countries where breathing masks are a normal part of everyday life, quickly got the epidemic under control.
It is not uncommon for the sick to show no symptoms, feel fit and healthy and have no idea that they are infected with the coronavirus. In such cases, it should be an advantage if the protective mask is mandatory. It also protects healthy people from sick people when there is no suspicion that there is an increased risk of infection.
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