Shopping without a vaccination card
Where 2G no longer applies in retail
2/8/2022 5:32 p.m
First, a court in Lower Saxony overturned the 2G regulation in retail – since December, proof of recovery or vaccinations no longer have to be presented there when shopping. Now some states are following suit. Where the 2G measure still applies in retail:
Baden-Wuerttemberg
On January 25, the Baden-Württemberg Administrative Court (VGH) overturned the 2G rule for retail in the state. The VGH in Mannheim had classified the freezing of alarm level II by the state government’s corona ordinance as probably illegal. The VGH announced at the end of January that the 2G rule provided for therein would be suspended with immediate effect. This means that 3G will apply to retail for the time being. The state government is currently working on loosening the restrictions, which could possibly take effect as early as the end of February. According to government circles in Stuttgart, a hearing by the Ministry of Social Affairs with clinic representatives and scientists on February 18 will clarify whether further opening steps are responsible.
Bavaria
As early as mid-January, the Bavarian Administrative Court (VGH) overturned the 2G access restrictions for retail in Bavaria. In an incontestable decision, the judges ruled that the Bavarian ordinance did not meet the requirements of the Infection Protection Act for access restrictions to vaccinated and recovered people. In principle, 2G rules are possible for retailers, but the Bavarian regulation does not meet the necessary requirements. Instead, there is an FFP2 mask requirement in retail – just like in the supermarket. Bavaria wants to relax several restrictions. Restaurants should be allowed to open again without curfew. Prime Minister Markus Söder announced this in a video conference of the party executive. Even more spectators are to be admitted to sporting and cultural events.
Berlin
Berlin wants to follow suit with easing next week. Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey announced that the 2G rule in retail would expire on February 18. Instead, a general FFP2 mask requirement should also apply there. The decision on this should come next Tuesday. The background is, among other things, that neighboring Brandenburg is also moving away from the regulation, said Giffey. Berlin may have reached the apex of the omicron wave.
Brandenburg
Brandenburg’s state government is also lifting the 2G rule in all retail trade. Instead, there is an obligation to wear an FFP2 mask. In addition, the nocturnal exit restriction for unvaccinated people in hotspot regions. On the other hand, the 2G plus rule remains in place in restaurants – it prescribes an additional negative test. In addition, the collection of contact data, for example in the catering trade, will be suspended. The 3G rule now applies to outdoor sports, i.e. access for those who have been vaccinated, those who have recovered and those who have tested negative on a daily basis.
Bremen
The Bremen Senate has decided to repeal the 2G regulation that applies to retail. This means that customers will no longer have to show proof of their vaccination or recovery status. The obligation to wear an FFP2 mask to protect against corona infections remains in place, as the health authorities announced. The Senate also decided to abolish contact recording, for example in gastronomy or at events. On Tuesday, the Bremen Senate also set warning level 3 for the municipality of Bremen, which is expected to replace warning level four from Friday. This means that the 2G plus rule no longer applies in the catering trade as well as in cultural and leisure facilities.
Hamburg
Hamburg is also relaxing the corona rules in retail. From Saturday, the 2G regulation in retail will be replaced by an FFP2 mask requirement. This was announced by a Senate spokesman.
Hesse
In Hesse, the 2G regulation in retail was also lifted. The Corona cabinet decided that last week, as the State Chancellery announced. In addition, the country allows more spectators to attend major events. “We are thus enabling more freedom, while at the same time we are protecting people through clear guidelines,” said Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, according to the State Chancellery. One of the requirements is that an FFP2 mask must be worn when shopping in the future. The 2G plus rule still applies to major events in Hesse. 2G means that only those who have been vaccinated or have recovered have access.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
The 2G obligation in retail also falls in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. From next Saturday, unvaccinated people will be able to shop there again in all shops, but an FFP2 mask must be worn when shopping. In shops for daily needs such as supermarkets, medical mouth and nose protection is sufficient. This was decided by the state government in Schwerin, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Simone Oldenburg.
Lower Saxony
In Lower Saxony, the higher administrative court had already canceled the 2G regulation for retail in mid-December 2021. Instead of 2G, wearing an FFP2 mask is mandatory when shopping – even in the supermarket.
North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered have access to retail stores. The current regulation will not be changed in this regard, said State Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann in Düsseldorf. From Wednesday there will be no more controls, only random samples. A trend reversal in the infection process is “currently not to be seen,” emphasized Laumann. After the Prime Minister’s Conference planned for next week, the NRW state government will reassess the infection process.
Saarland
The Saarland Higher Administrative Court overturned the 2G rule in retail on January 21. The regulation was too vague, the court had announced. The judges criticized that the exception rule for supermarkets and other shops with everyday goods is not specific enough with an exemplary list of shops.
Schleswig Holstein
The state government in Schleswig-Holstein has abolished the 2G model for retail. From Wednesday, customers in Schleswig-Holstein’s shops only have to wear a medical mask or an FFP2 mask, as the State Chancellery reported. This also applies to shops with services such as travel agencies or tailoring.
In Saxony-Anhalt and Rhineland-Palatinate However, 2G still applies in retail, in Thuringia and Saxony largely 3G.