Face coverings are now mandatory in certain public places in Berlin, including on public transport. The Senate has now opted to impose fines of up to 500 euros on those who flout the rules. 

No mask? Better pay up

Governing Mayor Michael Müller announced on Tuesday that the Senate had voted in favour of handing out fines to individuals who do not wear face masks in areas where they have been designated mandatory. The fines will range between 50 and 500 euros, with the top fine being slapped on those who repeatedly break the rules. 

As in many other federal states in Germany, Berlin has made face coverings compulsory on public transport, in supermarkets and other shops, in tattoo parlours and beauty salons, and in hairdressers. Müller said that regular checks would be carried out by the police, “like a ticket check”. 

Some states already impose fines for coronavirus rule violations but Berlin has so far taken a different approach. However, Müller said that yesterday’s decision had to be made because, “There are still some who do not adhere to the rules.” 

Other coronavirus restrictions loosening in Berlin

The decision came just as a number of other coronavirus restrictions began to be relaxed in the capital. The Senate determined on Tuesday that, in future, more people would be allowed to enter shops at the same time. The previous guideline of one person per 20 square metres will be relaxed to one person per 10 square metres. 

While some distancing requirements (such as the 1,5-metre rule) will remain unchanged, the limit on the number of people from different households that can gather in public will also be scrapped. More events will also gradually become possible, with gatherings of up to 500 participants in closed rooms allowed from August 1. This will increase to 750 from September 1 and 1.000 from October 1.