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Munich (dpa / lby) - The Bavarian Refugee Council sees after the entry into force of the FFP mask requirement in shops and public transport in the Free State of chaos in the supply of asylum seekers.

"Prime Minister Söder's symbolic rapid-fire strategy is miles away from a well-thought-out protection against infection," said Katharina Grote of the Bavarian Refugee Council on Wednesday, according to a statement in Munich.

"To make mask compulsory without ensuring a low-threshold and efficient supply of masks for everyone in advance, creates confusing chaos and unnecessarily demands forces that are currently urgently needed elsewhere."

The background to the criticism is that, according to the Refugee Council, asylum seekers do not receive any of the 2.5 million free masks that Bavaria wants to distribute to the needy.

Instead, they are given a budget of 6 euros for January and 12 euros for February, which is approved through the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

"Whether the refugees have to buy their FFP2 masks themselves and have their budget paid out retrospectively at the end of the month, or whether the masks are made available, should be decided by the social welfare offices of the districts and independent cities," criticized the refugee council.

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It is to be welcomed that refugees are being supported in obtaining the masks.

"But the way in which this is done is outrageous."

Asylum seekers are in a precarious financial position anyway.

«Anyone who has no more money can only hope that their social welfare office will give out the FFP2 masks as a benefit in kind this week.

Otherwise these people are completely excluded from participation in society. "

Grote urged the authorities to quickly find unbureaucratic solutions.

In Bavaria, since Monday this week, it has been mandatory to wear so-called FFP2 masks when shopping as well as on the bus and train.

FFP2 masks are more expensive than the conventional mouth and nose covers that were previously sufficient.

The Verdi union is also calling for improvements in the provision of masks to those in need: "Since it is now foreseeable that the obligation to wear will be maintained for a long time, it is clear that the five masks made available by the Free State can only be an initial basic equipment." said the chairman of the district unemployment committee of Verdi Middle Franconia, Tom de Buhr.

"We assume that a consumption of 15 masks per month is unavoidable."