China News Service, April 5. According to foreign media reports, German Federal Health Minister Lauterbach said on the 4th local time that the mandatory quarantine measures for people diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia will be lifted from May 1.
Although Lauterbach stressed that quarantine is still strongly recommended for those diagnosed, he said this will be voluntary from next month.
"The current regulations are effective, but they are unnecessary in the long run," he said.
He added that this does not include people working in medical facilities, who must be quarantined for five days if they are diagnosed.
According to Germany's new anti-epidemic protection law, since April 3 local time, almost all federal states have made a general requirement to wear masks in only a few occasions, such as in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and when taking buses and trains. Mandatory testing is still available at schools.
There is a view that Germany’s epidemic prevention has since relied on citizens’ own considerations and sense of responsibility.