Where to wear the mask

Wearing a face-to-face mask in public life is an important part of containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Wear a mask if you cannot safely keep the minimum distance of 1.5 meters to others in public spaces. This applies to both leisure and work. This is particularly important in closed rooms.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is spread via droplets (larger than five micrometers) or aerosols (finest air-borne liquid particles and droplet cores smaller than five micrometers). These are sprayed by infected people when coughing and sneezing or released when speaking, even before there are signs of illness. Mouth and nose covers (everyday masks) can act as a mechanical barrier and help reduce the spread of virus-containing droplets. Therefore, mouth and nose covers are an important addition to the rules of distance and hygiene. Wearing everyday masks in public spaces can be particularly effective if as many people as possible participate.

Wearing a face-to-face mask is particularly recommended in situations in which several people meet in public for a long period of time or cannot reliably adhere to the distance rules.