Face masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces

The government plans to modify the measures in place as of 26 June 2021

Face masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces and covered areas. This includes educational institutions, public transport and locations where contact-based professions are carried out, as well as shops, town halls and train stations. Make sure the mask covers your nose, mouth and chin.

Read the rules on face masks in Bulgarian, Chinese, English, French, German, Polish, Spanish and Turkish.

Always stay 1.5 metres away from other people

Always stay 1.5 metres away from other people, even if you are wearing a face mask.

Wearing a face mask correctly

Make sure the mask covers your nose, mouth and chin. Only touch the mask with clean hands. Keep your mask on wherever it is mandatory to do so, even if there are no other people around.

See the instructions on wearing a face mask, available in several languages.

Types of face masks to use

Use face masks made for use by the general public. The use of transparent face shields instead of a face mask is not permitted.

Face masks mandatory from 1 December

As of 1 December 2020, everyone aged 13 and over must wear a face mask in settings in which they are mandatory.

Reason for making face masks mandatory

Making it mandatory to wear a face mask almost everywhere automatically makes the rules clearer and helps stop coronavirus spreading.

Settings in which face masks are mandatory

No face masks required in primary schools

In primary schools and schools for special education, face masks do not need to be worn. Children in this age group have only a small risk of infection. There are clear rules about when staff or pupils need to stay at home, however.

Face masks required in secondary schools

Pupils and staff in secondary schools and schools for special secondary education must wear face masks outside of lessons. This requirement does not apply to pupils in special education who are unable to wear a mask due to a disability or health condition, or who become extremely distressed when wearing a mask.

Face masks required in secondary vocational education and higher education

From 1 December 2020, everyone in secondary vocational education and higher education must wear a mask outside of lessons and lectures. This rule applies in and around educational establishments and at other locations off-site where educational activities are held, such as workshops or examination locations.

Customers and service providers must wear face masks

In contact-based professions in the hair and beauty sector or professions involving physical contact, face masks are mandatory for both the service provider and the customer. Service providers can also make it part of their own policy that face masks must be worn.

Extra rules

Hairdressers and beauty therapists can draw up extra rules.

Face mask not required during treatments involving the face

A customer may remove their mask for treatment that involves contact with their face.

Removing your mask when seated indoors

You can remove your face mask indoors once you are seated in an assigned seat, such as in a theatre. When you leave your seat, you must put your mask back on. This does not apply to public transport; you must wear your mask at all times while travelling by train, bus, tram or metro.

Private buildings

Face masks are not mandatory in private buildings that are not freely accessible to the public. This includes buildings where people gather to practise a religion or belief, such as churches, mosques, temples and synagogues. Organisations and businesses can decide for themselves whether they wish to advise people to wear face masks on their premises. They can also choose to make face masks mandatory as part of their own policy.

Fines

If you do not wear a face mask in a place where you must wear one, you may be fined.

Face masks no substitute for social distancing

Wearing a face mask is never a substitute for not observing other measures to limit the spread of the virus. You must also always stay 1.5 metres away from others and avoid busy places.

Sometimes keeping your distance is not possible, however, such as on public transport or at the hairdresser. In such situations, face masks can help stop the virus spreading. Wearing a face mask mainly protects others around you. And if they wear a face mask, they're protecting you.

Face masks not harmful

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that face masks are not harmful. They do not cause a lack of oxygen or carbon dioxide poisoning. Oxygen and carbon dioxide can simply pass through the face mask.

Wearing a mask may sometimes be a little uncomfortable, so you should wear one that fits you well.

Exempted from wearing face masks

The following people are exempted from the statutory requirement to wear a face mask:

people who have a disability or health condition that makes them physically unable to wear or put on a face mask, such as an impairment affecting the facial area
people with a health condition that makes it more difficult to wear a mask, such as a respiratory disease
people who become extremely distressed when wearing a mask, such as people with severe intellectual disabilities or mental disorders (this exemption also extends to their carers)
people who are dependent on non-verbal communication, such as lip-reading (this exemption also extends to their carers).

Face masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces

Always stay 1.5 metres away from other people

Wearing a face mask correctly

Types of face masks to use

Face masks mandatory from 1 December

Reason for making face masks mandatory

Settings in which face masks are mandatory

Indoor public spaces

Educational institutions

Contact-based professions

Public transport, including stations, on platforms and at stops

On coaches

On aircraft