Germany Points to U.S. Outbreak, U.K. Pubs in Urging Mask Wearing
(Bloomberg) --
German officials urged residents to maintain discipline to help prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus, pointing to the U.S. and the U.K. as examples of the risks of lax hygiene practices.
“If you look at how the pubs are being stormed in England, the numbers are rising slightly everywhere, not worryingly yet, but one must be careful that it doesn't happen very quickly,” Markus Soeder, the premier of the state of Bavaria, said on Monday, adding that the outlook in the U.S. also isn't particularly bright.
“There's absolutely no alternative to being prudent and farsighted,” said Soeder, a potential contender to run as the chancellor candidate for the conservative bloc next year.
Germany has held contagion rates in check, despite local outbreaks, including a hot spot that erupted at a meat-processing plant. Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration has repeatedly urged Germans to be cautious and warned of the risk of a second wave.
The national concern has helped propel Germany's contact-tracing app to more than 15 million downloads, the most in Europe by far.
Read more: Europe Outbreak in Check But Virus Apps Struggle for Traction
The success in containing the pandemic has spurred some officials, especially in eastern Germany, to consider lifting requirements for face coverings in stores.
But the secretary general of Merkel's party, Paul Ziemiak, pushed back. “Wearing a mask is sexy,” he tweeted on Monday. “Think not only of yourself but of others.”
Health Minister Jens Spahn also weighed in.
“Wearing masks isn't always pleasant, but we see indoors where distancing isn't always possible that masks could make the difference,” he said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio. “We see where we make it too easy for the virus it can spread very quickly.”
Spahn referenced the risks of travel and especially party hot spots, such as Europe-wide infections linked to the Austria ski resort of Ischgl.
This summer season, hotels and vacation homes with adequate hygiene can be considered, but “Ballermann isn't possible,” Spahn said, referring to the popular German party beach on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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