Bus, tram and train passengers in Germany will no longer have to wear masks. But the health minister is still recommending their voluntary use to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections. People on public transit in Germany will be allowed to travel bare-faced for the first time in almost three years from Thursday, with the obligation to wear masks to protect against COVID-19 infections being dropped nationwide. The mandatory wearing of masks on long-distance trains and buses had been due to last until April, but the federal Cabinet recently decided to lift the regulation ahead of time in view of the falling number of COVID-19 cases in the country What are the mask-wearing rules now? Passengers on all forms of public transportation, both long-distance and regional, will no longer have to wear masks, with the nine states that have until now maintained the obligation for local trips also lifting the regulation.  However, FFP2 masks, which are roughly equivalent to N95 masks in the US, will still have to be worn by visitors to hospitals, care homes and doctor and dentists' offices until April 7.  German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is known for taking a very cautious stance on regulations to prevent the spread of infection, has recommended that people still voluntarily wear masks. What has been said about the lifting of the mask mandate? The neoliberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), a member of Germany's three-party ruling coalition and which favors light-handed regulation by government in general, has hailed the move and claimed to have played a major role in bringing it about. The party's general secretary, Bijan Djir-Sarai, told the dpa news agency that if his party had not put pressure on the government, the regulation would not have been dropped ahead of the earlier deadline, "and we would still have to sit in trains and buses with masks." "All restrictions on freedom have to be proportionate and must be kept in place only for as long as is absolutely necessary," he added. "Germany has overcome the pandemic. Now it is important to end the last state-imposed coronavirus measures as well, such as the mask mandate in doctors' offices." Upholding the mask mandate on trains has become increasingly difficult in Germany, with many passengers venting their anger on personnel at being forced to wear one. National rail operator Deutsche Bahn reported 25% more attacks on its staff last year than in the year before, with most acts of aggression — some of which led to serious injury — being attributed to anger over the mandate. A spokesman for the VDV, an umbrella organization of public transit authorities and companies, told dpa that in its view, "a mandate has long been unnecessary in view of the pandemic situation." "It was becoming more and more difficult to make passengers comply and to explain to them why people didn't have to wear a mask in fully occupied planes or sold-out concert halls, but still did on the way to the airport or the concert on buses and trains," he said.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been conducted mobile courts in different parts of the capital. RAB is conducting the drive to ensure use of masks for the people to face the second corona wave. Besides, masks are being distributed among the poor people. On Thursday mobile courts were conducted at four populous spots in the capital- Shahbag, Farmgate, City College Jigatala and Mirpur and its adjacent areas. While conducting the mobile court at Farmgate in the capital it was observed that most of the people wear masks. But someone is apathetic about wearing mask. They are showing different excuses before the mobile court. During the drive to make people aware about wearing masks mobile courts fined a number of people. Besides, masks were distributed among them. Executive Magistrate Akteruzzaman led the mobile court at Farmgate area. He said, the government has made wearing masks compulsory to face the second corona wave. At the populous are like Farmgate most of the people were seen wearing masks. But somebody is apathetic. Some are not wearing mask though they have it. To make everybody conscious and for correction of the people who are not wearing masks certain amount of money has been fined. AH    

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said, law enforcement agencies have been asked to take stern action including conducting mobile courts in the capital to ensure use of masks. He said this on Monday while briefing the newsmen. Earlier the virtual cabinet meeting was held presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister from Ganabhaban and the cabinet members from the cabinet division at the secretariat took part in it through video conference. While answering a question Khandker Anwarul Islam said, it was said in the meeting to take bolder action to face the coronavirus situation. It seems that corona infection is increasing. So direction has been given to be more alert. Fearing increase of corona infection in the winter the Prime Minister has been directing to take stern action about using masks. By this time mobile courts are awarding punishment and fines in several districts including Khulna. The Cabinet Secretary said, the premier in different times has directed to take stern action for using masks. We have already told law enforcing agencies and mobile courts to take stronger action in Dhaka. The effect will be visible within two or three days. AH    

In the wake of Covid-19 resurge in many European and American countries, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged all to follow health guidelines and use face-masks in public places and gatherings, aiming to prevent the possible second wave of the pandemic in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister made the call while presiding the weekly Cabinet meeting held virtually.  She joined the meeting through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban, while other cabinet members joined it from Bangladesh Secretariat. “We all should use masks... no one should go to public places, gatherings, mosques and other festivals, including upcoming Durga Puja, without wearing masks under any circumstances. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet expressed the hope that it’ll be enforced in tighter way,” said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam at a press briefing after the meeting. He said the Prime Minister asked all to be more careful against the pandemic saying that though the second wave of Covid is an uncertain matter, the massive use of masks can reduce the risk of infection. The Cabinet Secretary said many people are seen somewhat relaxed over the use of masks. The government has already asked the Islamic Foundation to make people aware by the imams of mosques --at least after Zohr and Magrib prayers -- over the use of masks in public places and gatherings, he said. He said the infection rate will decline automatically if everyone uses mask. "There should be a slogan at mosques, markets and all other places that no one should come without wearing mask," Khandker Anwarul Islam added. Source: UNB AH

The World Health Organization Friday changed its advice on face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying they should be worn in places where the virus is widespread and physical distancing is difficult. The use of masks has been a hot topic ever since the pandemic first emerged in China in December. “In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In areas with community-level virus transmission, “we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible”, he added. But the UN health agency stressed that facemasks alone “will not protect you from COVID-19” — and people suffering with the virus should not be out in public if they can avoid it. The WHO maintained its recommendation that people who are sick with COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home and if it is absolutely necessary for them or their contacts to leave home, they should wear a medical mask. As before, those caring for an infected person at home should wear a medical mask when in the same room; and health workers should wear medical masks plus protective equipment when dealing with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. But in an update affecting healthcare workers, the WHO now recommends that in areas with widespread virus transmission, all people working in clinical sections of a health facility should wear medical masks — not just those dealing with patients with COVID-19. – Three-layer facemask – The WHO also issued new guidance on the composition of non-medical fabric masks for the general public, advising that they should consist of at least three layers of different material. The inner layer should be made of a water-absorbent material such as cotton, the middle layer — which acts as a filter — from a material like non-woven polypropylene, while the outer layer should be a water-resistant material such as polyester. The WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan stressed that putting on a fabric mask is primarily about preventing the wearer from possibly infecting others, rather than self-protection. “It’s an altruistic act,” he said. And Tedros stressed that masks were only one part of an effective strategy to suppress the virus — and should not lure people into a false sense of security. He said they were not a replacement for physical distancing and hand hygiene. “Find, isolate, test and care for every case, and to trace and quarantine every contact. That is what we know works. That is every country’s best defence against COVID-19.” The novel coronavirus has infected at least 6.7 million people and killed more than 390,000 since the outbreak first emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. Source: AFP/BSS AH

After coronavirus testing kits, Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation sent 300,000 masks to Bangladesh which arrived in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. Yan Hualong, Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, among others, was present at the airport to hand over the masks to Bangladesh government officials. Some 30,000 more coronavirus testing kits arrived here from China as a donation to Bangladesh by Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation on Friday. Earlier, Jack Ma, co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, announced to help Bangladesh and some other Asian nations contain the spread of coronavirus. Ma promised to donate emergency supplies, including masks, test kits, protective suits, plus ventilators and thermometers.   Meanwhile, Bangladesh received the second batch of medical logistics, including 10,000 testing kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1,000 infrared thermometers from China on Thursday afternoon. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said Bangladesh, with the support from China and other countries, will be able to win against COVID-19 mentioning that China's support to Bangladesh on all fronts will continue. "Be confident, Bangladesh. You will win," said the Ambassador assuring that if China can win, Bangladesh can also win this battle. Local companies are also producing PPE and masks to address the needs. Bangladesh announced its first coronavirus cases on March 8. It has so far confirmed 48 cases and five deaths. Coronavirus, first reported in China in December last year, is affecting 199 countries and territories around the world and two international conveyances. Source: UNB AH

As a precautionary measure to prevent coronavirus health ministry is going to bring 70 lakh masks from Japan. Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that these masks will be brought in the current month. The minister said this at a press conference at the meeting room of health ministry on Thursday. The health minister said, no one will be brought back from China at the moment. If anybody expresses willingness then he or she will be discouraged. Those who went to China on vacation their visa processing activities have been stopped. He said, on arrival visa issue process for the Chinese nationals has been stopped. Those who would come from China have to submit health reports. Seven thousand five hundred Chinese nationals have come from China in the recent days. They are on observation with their own responsibility. Zahid Maleque said, if any Chinese national becomes sick then suggestion was given for informing that to the local administration or Civil Surgeon. All out measures have been taken for treatment if anybody is infected in the country. 312 China-returnee Bangladeshis will be discharged from Ashkona hajj camp on February 14, informed the health minister. AH    

Five million masks are being distributed at schools in India's capital, Delhi, after pollution made the air so toxic officials were forced to declare a public health emergency. A Supreme Court mandated panel imposed several restrictions in the city and two neighbouring states, as air quality deteriorated to "severe" levels. All construction has been halted for a week and fireworks have been banned. The city's schools have also been closed until at least next Tuesday. Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Delhi had been turned into a "gas chamber". The masks are being handed out to students and their parents, and Mr Kejriwal has asked people to use them as much as possible. The levels of tiny particulate matter (known as PM2.5) that enter deep into the lungs are 533 micrograms per cubic metre in the city. The WHO recommends that the PM2.5 levels should not be more than 25 micrograms per cubic metre on average in 24 hours. As thick white smog blanketed the city, residents started tweeting pictures of their surroundings. Many are furious that the situation remains the same year after year. One of the main reasons for air quality in the city worsening every year in November and December is that farmers in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana burn crop stubble to clear their fields. It's made worse by the fireworks during the Hindu festival of Diwali. There are other reasons too, including construction dust, factory and vehicular emissions, but farm fires remain the biggest culprit. More than two million farmers burn 23 million tonnes of crop residue on some 80,000 sq km of farmland in northern India every winter. The stubble smoke is a lethal cocktail of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Using satellite data, Harvard University researchers estimated that nearly half of Delhi's air pollution between 2012 and 2016 was due to stubble burning. The burning is so widespread that it even shows up in satellite photos from Nasa. Source: BBC AH

Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam has used a colonial-era emergency law to ban face masks to try to quell months of anti-government unrest. She said the ban would come into force on Saturday, after an escalation of violence during protests on 1 October. Ms Lam said the decision was taken because the situation could not be allowed "to get worse and worse". Protesters, who have promised to defy the new law, immediately took to the streets in response. Mask-wearing activists had also earlier called on others to wear masks in defiance of the government, which critics fear is becoming increasingly authoritarian. Ms Lam said she was forced to implement the colonial-era law because the violence at the now-weekly protests was "destroying the city". Observers say the regulation will be hard to enforce and hugely controversial: critics have warned the mask ban could be the first in a series of "draconian" measures. "This is a watershed. This is a Rubicon," pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told news agency AFP. "And I'm worried this could be just a starter. More draconian bans in the name of law could be lurking around the corner." The announcement has also prompted reaction from further afield, with Marta Hurtado, the United Nations human rights spokeswoman, noting at a press conference in Geneva that "any restriction must have a basis in law and be proportionate and as least intrusive as possible". UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, meanwhile, has said "political dialogue is the only way to resolve the situation". Where does the ban apply? Secretary for Security John Lee said the ban would apply for approved and unapproved public assemblies - rallies and marches - as well as in unlawful assemblies and riots. The ban covers all kinds of facial covering, including face paint. Protesters have increasingly worn masks for a number of reasons, including to conceal their identities - from employers, parents and, in some cases, police - and to protect themselves from tear gas. There are exemptions for people wearing masks for health reasons, or if required by their profession. Ms Lam said "violence had been escalating to alarming levels" leading to a situation of "chaos and panic" in the city. What is the Emergency Regulations Ordinance? The legislation invoked by Ms Lam, called the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, dates to 1922 and has not been used in more than 50 years. It enables the chief executive to bypass the normal legislative process, where bills have to go through the city's parliament, the Legislative Council. The ERO was last used in 1967 to help stop riots in the territory's trading hub. Ms Lam stressed the new regulation did not mean that Hong Kong was in a state of emergency. But she said the city was "in a state of serious public danger" What else did Carrie Lam say? The city's chief executive said what had been single rallies or marches, when the protests began, had spread to many areas across Hong Kong. She said petrol bombs were being used inside closed spaces like railway stations, and that violent protesters had targeted public buildings and private properties. She also accused protesters of not just criticising but "lynching" people with different views. It is unclear exactly what she was referring to. According to the government, the percentage of demonstrators who are students has risen from 25% to 38%. Ms Lam said the mask ban would help prevent students breaking the law. She also pointed out that similar bans on facial coverings were in place in other places around the world. What is the background? Hong Kong's protests started in June, sparked by proposals to extradite suspected criminals to mainland China. The extradition bill has since been cancelled but protests have widened into pro-democracy and anti-police demonstrations. Over the months, clashes between police and activists have become increasingly violent. On Tuesday, police shot a protester in the chest with a live bullet for the first time. Authorities say the 18-year-old - who was attacking police and was arrested after being shot - is in a stable condition in hospital. Hong Kong is a former British colony handed back to China in 1997. It has a "one country, two systems" agreement that guarantees it some autonomy, and its people certain freedoms, including freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. But those freedoms - the Basic Law - expire in 2047 and it is not clear what Hong Kong's status will then be. Source: BBC AH