The announced change to the Hessian Corona Protection Ordinance will come into force on Monday.

This was announced by the state government on Saturday morning.

This concerns the abolition of the 2G rule in the entire retail trade and new requirements for major events, to which more spectators can be admitted again.

“We are thus enabling more freedom, while at the same time protecting people through clear guidelines: In future, an FFP2 mask must be worn when shopping.

And the 2G Plus rule still applies to major events,” said Prime Minister Volker Bouffier.

Ewald Hetrodt

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung in Wiesbaden.

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At major outdoor events, up to 50 percent of the seats may be occupied in the future - but no more than 10,000 spectators or participants.

Inside, occupancy is limited to a maximum of 30 percent and up to 4,000 visitors.

Percentage limits kick in indoors and out from 250th place.

Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) emphasized that the first 250 places could be full.

"That's important so that smaller events also have a perspective." Participation is still only possible for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, ten participants inside and 250 outside attack the 2-G-Plus rule.

FFP2 mask compulsory from the age of 16

In the Hessian retail trade, on the other hand, the 2G rule will be lifted, as in several other federal states.

"It provides clarity," says Bouffier.

“We no longer differentiate between basic needs and the rest of retail, but treat these areas equally.

In particular, this eliminates the need for time-consuming access controls.

At the same time, we are increasing the protection of customers by making it mandatory for people over the age of 16 to wear an FFP2 mask in all shops throughout Hesse, including supermarkets.”

Bouffier underlined that the pandemic is not over yet.

The protection of citizens remains the top priority.

“The decisive criterion for us is always not to overload our healthcare system.

This is currently not the case in Hesse," said the head of government.

The situation in the clinics is currently “manageable”.

Therefore, the hotspot regulation that was established when the delta variant was dominant is also being abandoned.

The hotspot regulation has so far taken effect in all cities and districts with an incidence of over 350. This is currently the case throughout Hesse.

The now predominant omicron variant is significantly more contagious and the number of infections is correspondingly higher.

At the same time, fewer infected people became so seriously ill that they had to be treated in an intensive care unit.

"That's why we can lift the hotspot rule.

This eliminates, for example, the obligation to wear masks in pedestrian zones and the ban on alcohol consumption in busy places," said Bouffier.

Prostitution establishments should also be allowed to use the 2-G-Plus rule,

At the same time, the indoor 2G Plus rule now applies nationwide and regardless of incidence.

At events with more than ten participants in cinemas, restaurants and indoor sports, all guests, participants and spectators must comply with the 2G Plus rule.

If the hospitalization incidence in Hesse exceeds 9 or 400 intensive care beds are occupied, the state government wants to discuss further steps.

According to the State Chancellery, the hospitalization incidence in Hesse is currently 6.93.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, 216 intensive care beds were recently occupied, the intensive care medicine association Divi speaks of 207.