Corona

Corona-Rules in the Hannover Region

On 2 February 2023, the compulsory wearing of masks on local and long-distance buses and trains was abolished. The isolation requirement for those tested positive also expired.

The Hannover Region includes: City of Barsinghausen, City of Burgdorf, City of Burgwedel, City of Garbsen, City of Gehrden, City of Hannover, City of Hemmingen, Municipality of Isernhagen, City of Laatzen, City of Langenhagen, City of Lehrte, City of Neustadt am Rübenberge, City of Pattensen, City of Ronnenberg, City of Seelze, City of Sehnde, City of Springe, Municipality of Uetze, Municipality of Wedemark, Municipality of Wennigsen, City of Wunstorf.

Masks

An FFP2 mask must be worn in doctors' surgeries, outpatient surgery facilities, dialysis facilities, day clinics, emergency services and correctional facilities.
In hospitals, preventive care and rehabilitation facilities.
In homes and facilities for the elderly and people in need of care/people with disabilities.
Children up to and including 5 years of age and persons exempted by medical certificate continue to be exempt from the obligation to wear masks. For children from six up to and including 14 years of age, a medical mask is sufficient.

Tests / compulsory testing

Since 30 June 2022, citizenship tests have been subject to a fee, with a co-payment of three euros.
Still entitled to free tests are:

Children under the age of 5, i.e. until their fifth birthday.
People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, including pregnant women in their first trimester
People who are participating in clinical trials on the efficacy of vaccines against the coronavirus at the time of testing.
Persons for whom testing is required to end quarantine ("free testing")
Visitors and persons receiving treatment or residents in inpatient or outpatient care and hospital facilities
Beneficiaries who employ persons within the framework of a personal budget according to § 29 SGB IX, as well as persons employed by beneficiaries within the framework of a personal budget
Family carers
Household members of persons who have been proven to be infected

The testing obligation applies in hospitals, care facilities, homes and prisons.

Entry

Since 1 June 2022, persons entering the country no longer need to prove that they have been vaccinated, have recovered or have tested negative. Persons entering from a virus variant area are exempt.
A 14-day quarantine obligation applies to entry from virus variant areas. As of 1 October 2022, no states/regions are considered virus variant areas.

Meetings and private parties
There are no restrictions.

Catering
There are no restrictions.

Clubs, discos and shisha bars
There are no restrictions.

Hairdressers and other body-related services
There are no restrictions.

Culture/recreation
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas are open, there are no restrictions.
Zoos, zoos, botanical gardens are open, there are no restrictions.
Museums, galleries and exhibitions are open, there are no restrictions.
Large events are permitted, there are no restrictions.
Fairs are permitted, there are no restrictions.

Sports/Swimming
Sports facilities are open, there are no restrictions.
Saunas, spas, indoor and fun pools are open, there are no restrictions.

Schools
There are no restrictions, voluntary test offer.

Kitas / kindergartens
There are no restrictions, voluntary test offer.

Visits to homes, hospitals, care facilities and correctional institutions
only with a negative test result and FFP2 mask.

Tourism
There are no restrictions for accommodation in hotels or similar.

No longer relevant: 2G rule
Access only for convalescents and vaccinated persons, distance and mask obligation apply.
Children and schoolchildren up to 18 years of age are exempt from the rule.

No longer relevant: 2G+ rule
Admission only for convalescents and vaccinated persons with negative test results (2G+), distance and mask requirements apply.
Those who have been vaccinated three times (fully vaccinated + booster vaccination), those who have recovered within the first 3 months after falling ill, those who have been fully vaccinated within the first 3 months after the second vaccination and those who have recovered with an additional vaccination do not have to present a test.
Owners of catering establishments and event organisers can dispense with additional tests if only 70 percent of the capacity is used. Then 2G instead of 2G+ applies in these establishments.
Children and schoolchildren up to 18 years of age are exempt from the rule.

No longer relevant: 3G rule
Access or use of services is only possible for vaccinated, recovered or tested persons. Distance and masking requirements apply.
The testing obligation does not apply to children and young people up to 18 years of age and adults with contra-indications.

Note: Organisers have domiciliary rights and can demand further access requirements in deviation from the Corona Ordinance

Questions and Answers

The federal government and the state of Lower Saxony set the framework for corona measures, and the Hanover region is responsible for their implementation. The current ones can be found on the region's website General decrees and ordinances of the Hanover region .

The answers to the most frequently asked questions arising from the regulations of the country Lower Saxony state government here . The federal government provides information on the Infection Protection Act on its website Corona question and answer page .