German state Bavaria introduces mandatory face mask regulation

As of next week, citizens in the southern German state of Bavaria would be required to wear a face mask when using public transport or visiting shops, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder announced on Monday.

Even scarves were sufficient if they would cover mouth and nose. "Everyday masks or scarves are suitable," said Soeder, adding that the Bavarian government would accompany its exit strategy for COVID-19 measures with protective measures.

Bavaria has become the third state in Germany with some form of face mask obligation. In Saxony, a mouth and nose protector or scarf must already be worn when shopping and using public transport while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, masks will become mandatory in public transport on April 27.

Bavaria is also Germany's only state where shops would not be allowed to reopen for another week. Soeder stressed that Bavaria wanted to approach the openings "more cautiously" and "more restrained."

Bavaria reported the most confirmed COVID-19 cases among German states. According to RKI, Bavaria had 37,849 confirmed cases on Monday, of which 1,286 people died so far.

Soeder also announced that parents in Bavaria would not have to pay kindergarten or daycare fees for at least the next three months due to the coronavirus crisis.

In addition, Bavaria would double its sports funding and provide all 30,000 registered artists with 1,000 euros (1,090 U.S. dollars) per month, according to Soeder.

Soeder added that the 60-billion-euro protective shield would be the largest in the history of Bavaria. However, he warned that the crisis was not over yet. The government would "continue to protect Bavaria with calmness, caution and patience." (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollars)