Germany has introduced the obligation to wear masks in certain places. Turkey has lifted quarantine for truckers, and Portugal has extended the relaxation of drivers’ hours’ regulations.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the federal states agreed last week that masks would have to be worn on buses, trains and stores. By today, this measure has come into force in all German states. In almost every region, the mask must be worn when shopping and on public transport.
Hesse also extended the rule to visiting banks and post offices, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern includes libraries, too. Berlin, however, excluded shops from the regulation. Drivers also must wear the mask when shopping in stores or at gas stations.
Only some states have already decided to introduce penalties for non-compliance with the obligation:
Bavaria – there is a fine of 150 euros for missing a mask.
Hamburg – fines for retailers. If the customers in the store do not have masks, the owner of the store faces a fine of 500 to 1000 euros.
Hesse – a fine of 50 euro is foreseen for repeated breach of duty.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – there is a penalty of 25 euros for not wearing a mask.
Rhineland-Palatinate – a penalty of no mask of 10 euros, but only after the first week of application.
Extended relaxation of drivers’ hours’ regulations in Portugal
Portugal has extended the relaxation of drivers’ hours’ regulations until 31 May, reports the Spanish federation of transport associations Fenadismer.
We recall the exceptions that Portugal maintains:
– Article 6 para. 1: Daily driving can take 11 hours instead of 9 hours adjustment.
– Article 8 6: At least one regular weekly rest of 45 hours and a reduced weekly rest period of at least 24 hours can be received over the next two weeks without having to compensate for the hours.
– Article 8 8: The driver may have a regular weekly rest in the vehicle, provided that the lorry is properly equipped and parked.
No quarantine for truck drivers in Turkey
On 27 April, Turkey lifted the obligation of 14-day quarantine for truck drivers – reports the Polish government. Drivers on the Turkish border will be examined and must sign a declaration that they will leave Turkey within 72 hours of entry.
Photo: Bartosz Wawryszuk