Nationwide day of action with checks on trains in all federal states with the support of the federal police – information stands at several major stations – 99 per cent of all passengers wear masks – checks in December in up to 50 per cent of long-distance trains – ICE with mask as a rolling ambassador for safe travel on the move
Berlin, 7 December 2020 – Today, Deutsche Bahn (DB), with the support of the Federal Police, is launching the largest control campaign to date to ensure compliance with the obligation to wear masks. DB prevention teams and federal police officers will be present on long-distance and regional trains in all federal states as well as at several major stations.
At Berlin Central Station, Federal Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer, DB Board Member for Passenger Transport Berthold Huber, and Federal Police President Dr. Dieter Romann thanked rail customers in Germany for their responsible behaviour, consideration and patience when travelling in the Corona era. Around 99 percent of passengers now wear the mandatory mouth-nose cover. At the same time, Andreas Scheuer, Berthold Huber, and Dieter Romann presented an ICE, which will act as a rolling ambassador for compulsory masks and safe rail travel in the coming weeks. The ICE has a mask on each of the end cars and will be in use on various routes from today.
In December, DB will again double the presence of its security forces on long-distance services. In up to 50 per cent of all long-distance trains, security teams are on board to draw attention to compliance with the masking requirement. DB is also continuing its daily checks in regional trains and stations unchanged.
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer: “We want a safe Christmas with the family. Compulsory masks in the railway are our most effective instrument. With the nationwide action day, we are once again sending out a clear signal: Masks on! Travelling in an exemplary and responsible manner – to protect yourself and others”.
Berthold Huber, Member of the DB Passenger Transportation Board: “From the very beginning, most customers have worn the mask to protect all passengers in the truest sense of the word. In the meantime, infringements are the absolute exception. In order to keep it that way and to make our customers feel even safer, we are again increasing checks at Christmas and at the same time increasing the seating capacity in long-distance services for journeys at the best possible distance.
The President of the Federal Police Headquarters, Dr. Dieter Romann, commented: “Mouth and nose protection is first and foremost an almost cultural question of politeness and respect for others, even if it may sometimes be difficult. We, in any case, make our contribution to it”.
In mid-September, the Federal Government, the Länder, transport industry associations, trade unions, municipal umbrella organisations and transport companies had agreed on a nationwide day of action with focus controls at the “Round Table on the Implementation of Masks in Public Transport”. In some federal states, representatives of the responsible regional health and public order offices as well as the state police participate in addition to Deutsche Bahn and the federal police.