Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – Unlike Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia does not shake the isolation requirement for people infected with corona. A spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Düsseldorf said on Friday that the state government still considers it necessary to isolate infected people. This assessment is based on the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). “The question of how the (legally non-binding) recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute are implemented is a question that each state government must decide for itself,” it said.

The isolation ends no later than ten days after the first appearance of symptoms. A “free test” is possible from the fifth day.

Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein announced on Friday that they wanted to lift the general obligation to isolate for people who tested positive “soon”. “In their place, the federal states will introduce adapted mandatory protective measures such as a limited mask requirement for people who have tested positive and urgent recommendations,” said the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Health. November 16 was named as the date for the abolition of the obligation to isolate in Bavaria.

The spokesman for the North Rhine-Westphalian ministry said: “We are still closely monitoring the course of the infection and are in constant contact with experts as to whether and when regulations need to be adjusted.” During the entire pandemic, the RKI’s recommendations, which were based on scientific expertise, “guided action” for the state government.