In consideration of the recent drop in infections, the provisions regarding infection protection at the workplace will be adjusted from 1 July. The obligation to work from home will also be lifted at the end of the month. 

However, employers are free to choose to enable their employees to continue working from home so as to allow for the highest possible degree of protection against infection.

Testing for additional safety

Employers are currently required to offer two tests per week to all staff members working on site. This arrangement will remain unchanged also beyond 1 July,

unless it can be ensured that employees are protected through other measures. Employees who are fully vaccinated or can provide evidence that they have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to be tested, for example.

To allow for infection chains to be detected and broken as soon as possible, it is sensible to continue testing at the workplace, despite the steady increase in the number of vaccinated workers and those who have recovered from the illness.

Tried and tested measures remain in place

It is still necessary to address infection risks at the workplace, despite the fact that the number of new infections is decreasing on a daily basis. Employees will therefore be required to take the following measures, also in the future:

• Limitation of the number of workers in closed working and rest areas
• Fixed working teams
• Wearing face coverings where close contact cannot be avoided
• Preparation and implementation of operational hygiene concepts.

The COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation remains in effect for the duration of the pandemic situation and its period of validity has been extended up to and including 10 September 2021. The changes to the COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation will take effect on 1 July 2021.