From next Monday, April 27, everyone in Bavaria will be required to wear a protective face mask in shops and on public transport. This was announced on Monday by the Bavaria State Premier, Markus Söder. 

Face masks compulsory in Bavaria from next week

As lockdown measures begin to ease and shops across Germany start to reopen, Bavaria has decided to introduce a compulsory mask regulation. From next week, everyone will be required to wear a protective face covering when in shops or on public transportation. 

Söder clarified that the requirement was not for everyone to wear a medical mask, but to make sure mouths and noses are covered - therefore all types of masks are allowed, including homemade ones. Other types of face coverings, including scarves, are also deemed acceptable, as long as they cover the nose and mouth and are cleaned regularly. 

The mask obligation applies to all shops, including those that have up until now been open - like supermarkets and pharmacies - as well as those that have just been allowed to reopen as part of the gradual relaxing of coronavirus restrictions. 

Masks also mandatory in Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 

Bavaria therefore becomes the third federal state in Germany to introduce a mask requirement, following the precedent set by Saxony and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The requirement applies from Monday, April 20 in Saxony and Monday, April 27 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 

So far, the federal government has shied away from introducing a compulsory mask requirement nationwide, opting instead to “strongly recommend” that masks be worn.