Mask-wearing ban in schools of Baden-Württemberg?
In recent news, a report by the Southwest Press in Ulm on Tuesday caused confusion among citizens, stating that there was a mask ban at schools in the district of Karlsruhe. However, it appears that this report was not accurate.
The Presidency of Karlsruhe, the supervisory authority for schools, has issued a clarification, stating that there is no mask ban in place. The Presidency has also explained the current legal situation regarding mask use in schools.
According to the Presidency, the individual health protection provided in the regulation takes precedence. This means that students and teachers have the possibility to wear a respiratory mask for individual health protection. The School Act provides in § 72 paragraph 3a that it is generally prohibited for students of public schools to cover their faces at school events. However, this prohibition does not apply if such covering is "required to fulfill a legal or regulatory obligation."
The Presidency has also emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable students and teachers, especially in times of numerous respiratory infections and a high number of COVID infections. Health reasons allow students to wear masks, and a decision on this will be made at the school.
It is important to note that the reported mask ban at schools in the district of Karlsruhe, as previously stated, was never issued by the Presidency. The report by the Southwest Press in Ulm was published under the title "Authority Bans Masks at Schools." The Presidency has stated that it has never issued a mask ban and has no disagreement with the superior ministries on the mask issue.
As of mid-2025, there is no explicit, currently active mask mandate or ban specifically for schools in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. For the most accurate and up-to-date local information, checking local government or school authority announcements would be recommended.
School principals are implementing the regulation "responsibly" at the schools, taking into account the individual health protection of students and teachers.
[1] General German government COVID-19 response information [3] Ongoing research and measures related to COVID-19 in Baden-Württemberg [5] No recent or local regulations on mask requirements for schools in Karlsruhe or the wider region found in the search results.
- Although the Southwest Press in Ulm mistakenly reported a mask ban at schools in Karlsruhe, the Presidency has clarified that students and teachers have the option to wear masks for individual health protection, as long as it is not prohibited by school events.
- The Presidency of Karlsruhe also emphasizes the significance of mental health, making it clear that any decisions on mask usage will prioritize the health and wellness of students and teachers, including those with vulnerabilities, and that fitness and exercise should not be compromised in these decisions.
