Medical-grade FFP2 masks become mandatory

Medical-grade FFP2 masks become mandatory



Medical-grade FFP2 face masks are now mandatory in Austria for people aged over 14 on public transport, shops and businesses, pharmacies, as well as hospitals or medical practices.To get more news about famous mask wholesale, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

Austria is among the first European countries to make FFP2 masks mandatory.The measure has largely been accepted without complaint, despite controversy over other measures, such as the closing of schools while ski lifts remain open.

Though often sold for more than €5 each just a few weeks ago, the masks, which block 94% of aerosols, can now be found at all grocery stores for 59 cent each.Elderly residents and low-income households received packs of free FFP2 masks last week.
The measure also applies to supermarkets and to service providers, such as garage owners and health professionals, while teachers, warehouse workers and people in the public service must also comply at their workplace, unless a minimum distance of two metres can be ensured.Pregnant women and people with medical conditions that make it harder for them to breathe are exempt.

Following a second lockdown that ended in early December and allowed stores to open for Christmas shopping, daily infection rates quickly increased, leading the government to impose a third lockdown just a few weeks later, on 26 December.

Though it was meant to be lifted today, this third lockdown failed to significantly contain new infections in the nation of 8.9 million, leading to an extension until 8 February and stricter regulations, including the mandatory FFP2 masks.

Currently, around 130 new infections are registered per 100,000 residents each day, well above the maximum of 50 infections the government aims for.Schools, museums, sports halls, cinemas and non-essential shops are currently closed and the government is urging Austrians to limit social contacts and to work from home wherever possible.Outdoor sports, however, are permitted, and photos of crowds queuing at lifts or huddling with drinks at ice skating rinks have sparked outrage.Meanwhile, border restrictions are being tightened around the world and comes after a weekend in which anger at social distancing rules bubbled over into fiery clashes in the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte condemned what he described as "criminal violence" after around 250 people were arrested during demonstrations in Amsterdam, Eindhoven and other towns yesterday.

Shops were looted, cars burned and a coronavirus testing station was set on fire after the country's first curfew since World War II took effect late Saturday.