Germany is planning to tighten COVID restrictions this winter, including making masks compulsory on flights and long-distance rail journeys.

The proposal is included in a new Infection Protection Act being introduced by the Ministry of Health together with the Ministry of Justice.

If approved by the German Government, the Act will make wearing masks mandatory on flights and long-distance trains from 1 October 2022 until 7 April 2023.

In a joint statement, the two ministries said the measure was being proposed to combat an expected seasonal surge in COVID cases during the autumn and winter.

The Federal cabinet is expected to rule on the proposal later this month.

Individual states in Germany may also re-introduce social distancing measures in public places and limit the numbers attending indoor events.