Quarantine, compulsory testing, gastronomy
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These Corona rules now apply in NRW
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2G controls in retail (in Düsseldorf, archive) Photo: dpa/Malte Krudewig
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Düsseldorf There are again changes to the corona protection rules in NRW: New regulations came into force just a few days ago, and the state government has already made improvements. We summarize which rules now apply.
New measures to contain the pandemic have been in force in NRW since Sunday, January 16, 2022 – they will be regulated in the Corona Protection Ordinance. We give an overview of which rules are now valid in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Some important terms in advance:
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- 3G – Access only for complete Gvaccinated Genese and Getestete (negative PCR test not older than 48 hours or negative rapid antigen test not older than 24 hours).
- 2G – Access only for complete Gvaccinated and Genesene.
- 2G plus – Access only for fully vaccinated and recovered people who also bring a current, negative test result (quick test not older than 24 hours, PCR test not older than 48 hours). Important exceptions: No additional test is required for people who have been boosted (applies immediately after receiving the third vaccination), people who have recovered from an infection after full immunization, and people who have been vaccinated twice between the 15th and 90th day after the second vaccination.
- When is one considered fully vaccinated in NRW? Basically two weeks after receiving the second dose of vaccine from Moderna, Biontech or Astrazeneca – or two weeks after receiving the single dose from Johnson & Johnson. The digital vaccination certificate is initially valid for twelve months.
- When is one considered recovered in NRW? Proof is provided by a positive PCR test result that must not be younger than 28 days and not older than three months (change on January 15, 2022).
- When is one considered boosted in NRW? Citizens who have received a third vaccination. Important: This applies regardless of the active ingredient, i.e. also for people who have been immunized with Johnson & Johnson! They also need a second vaccination and a booster vaccination. In everyday life, people who have been vaccinated twice are on an equal footing with those who have been boosted, whose second vaccination was at least 14 days and a maximum of 90 days ago.
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Which corona rules now apply in gastronomy?
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The 2G plus rule has been in force in restaurants and pubs since January 13th. An exception is the mere collection of food and drinks – then no current test result is necessary. Important: Some groups of people such as those who have been boosted and those who have recovered after vaccination (see above) can do without the additional corona test, they are already considered tested in all areas with 2G Plus restrictions.
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How does on-site testing work??
With the new Corona Protection Ordinance, it is possible for the first time to carry out supervised corona tests on site. There is then no obligation to submit an official rapid test result. This regulation is relevant for all areas where 3G or 2G plus apply, such as indoor sports. Important: The rapid test must be carried out under supervision (e.g. by the staff on site or by the club trainer) and the negative result only entitles access to this specific offer. The invigilator can therefore not create a test certificate, as one would get from an official test center. The operator of the respective facility decides whether on-site testing is offered.
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Who has to be in quarantine or isolation for how long in NRW?
Anyone who gets a positive result from an official rapid test or a PCR test must automatically and without additional orders from the authorities self-isolate for ten days. If you remain symptom-free for two days, you can take a free test after seven days. Infected people must inform everyone they have had contact with in the last two days before the positive test.
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What applies to contact persons of corona infected people?
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If you live with an infected person in the same household, you automatically have to be in quarantine for ten days – even without an order from the authorities. Here, too, you can test yourself after seven days. For daycare and school children, the quarantine can be reduced to five days. Contacts must be PCR tested if they experience symptoms during quarantine. Contact persons who do not live in the same household as the infected person do not automatically have to be quarantined, but only if the health department orders it. However, unvaccinated people are expected to self-isolate.
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What are the exceptions for contact persons?
Boosted people, those who have recovered after full vaccination, those who have been vaccinated twice between the 15th and 90th day after the second vaccination and those who have recovered and whose positive corona test is not older than 90 days and not younger than 28 days do not expressly have to be in quarantine.
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Where in NRW will there be a mask requirement from January?
On January 13, the obligation to wear medical masks was expanded. Medical masks must now also be worn in outdoor queues, as well as at events and gatherings unless they are subject to 3G or 2G access regulations. The mask requirement had already been tightened in December, and since then it has also applied to immunized people when working indoors and in vehicles, even if the minimum distance of 1.50 meters can be maintained. It also applies to people who have been immunized in educational and cultural institutions, at trade fairs or family recreation trips – regardless of fixed seats or arrangements in a checkerboard pattern. Further details on the mask requirement in NRW can be found here.
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What rules apply to major events in NRW?
The Corona rules were standardized here on January 13: There is now a maximum spectator limit of 750 people. This also applies to national events such as football games, which recently had to take place without an audience.
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What applies to sports and wellness in NRW?
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Since masks cannot be worn indoors during sports, in swimming pools (except in changing rooms and corridors) and in wellness offers, the 2G Plus rule continues to apply there – with the exception described above that, for example, those who have been boosted and those who have recovered can wait for the additional test can do without. 2G Plus also applies to various other facilities and offers in NRW, including singing in a choir without a mask.
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Do children in NRW also need a corona test?
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Children and young people up to the age of 15 are treated on an equal footing with those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, especially since they are regularly tested at school. You do not need an additional test if 3G, 2G or 2G plus apply. Important: They or their parents may have to prove that the children are under the age of 15 – with a corresponding identification document.
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What contact restrictions apply in NRW?
Contact restrictions have also been in effect for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered since December. Private gatherings indoors and outdoors are therefore only permitted with a maximum of ten people – there is no limit to the number of households here. Children up to and including 13 years of age are exempt from the contact restrictions. There are no personal restrictions within your own household. However, as soon as an unvaccinated person takes part, the stricter requirements apply again. Then only two people from another household are allowed to participate.
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How is retail access regulated?
Since the end of 2021, those who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered have only been allowed to go to shops for daily needs. These include food and drink shops, baby and pet supplies stores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, drugstores, opticians, petrol stations, bookstores, flower shops and wholesalers. The 2G rule applies in all other stores. Access must be controlled by the shops.
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What applies to culture and leisure in NRW?
The 2G rule still applies in museums, exhibitions, theatres, cinemas, animal parks, zoos, amusement parks and for tourist hotel accommodation. 2G Plus also applies to swimming pools, wellness facilities and indoor sports. Children and young people up to and including the age of 15 are exempt from the restrictions.
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Do you need a corona test at work?
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The 3G rule applies in the workplace – all employees must show they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested to date.
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What corona rules apply on buses and trains?
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In public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia, the 3G rule and the obligation to wear masks continue to apply. Simple surgical masks are also allowed, but this can change: There are initial demands for a return to FFP2 obligation in buses and trains.
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What fines are due for breaking the rules?
Anyone who has a medical mask with them on the bus or train but does not put it over their mouth and nose, or only wears an everyday mask, pays 150 euros. The same amount is due for anyone who is caught without a medical mask at events in closed rooms such as shopping in stores or going to the authorities.
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Anyone who has neither recovered nor been tested and takes part in a 2G event must pay a fine of 250 euros, and organizers or operators who admit non-immunized people will be fined 1000 euros. If the organizer has a fake vaccination card himself, the fine will double from the previous €1,000 to €2,000. If he also fails to check the test and vaccination certificates, the fine is 2,000 euros. The falsification of a test certificate costs between 2000 and 5000 euros.
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