Pokhara : My top tips for sightseeing & Activities

adminonAugust 26, 2023August 22, 2023Leave a Comment

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is geographically located like the "navel of Nepal" pretty much in the middle of the country. While the Annapurna massif with a total of three 8000m peaks – the Annapurna, the Manaslu and the Dhaulagiri – can be seen imposingly from viewpoints in the distance, Pokhara itself is only at an altitude of 930m. Most impressively the holy and "only" 6997m high Machapuchare, also called Fishtail, towers over the city, which I remember as the most modern tourist hotspot by Nepalese standards.

Pokhara is because of its central location the starting point for numerous trekking tours and a recreational paradise for the time afterwards. Hardly anyone who visits Nepal does not come here.

1. LONG DISTANCE HIKING AND TREKKING IN THE ANNAPURNA MASSIF

Sun Maya, Palee, Uti and I standing in front of the Annapurna Base Camp sign that reads:

If you love mountains, you will love Nepal. The Himalaya, which has a total length of about 3000km, is the largest mountain range in Asia and stretches across the countries of Pakistan, India, China, Bhutan and Nepal. The Annapurna massif, visible from Pokhara from viewpoints in good weather, attracts to long distance hiking and trekking tours. Pokhara serves as a starting point for all tours to the Annapurna massif.

The most popular tours are the 10-14 day Annapurna Basecamp Trek starting from Phedi or alternatively from Deorali or Naya Pul (in combination with the Ghorepani/Ghandruck Trek) and the notorious 2-3 week Annapurna Circuit Trek starting from Besi Sahar.

For hiking and trekking routes a permit is needed, which will be checked at the tour starting points (more information in the article: Hiking in Nepal: How to get a TIMS Card&) get a trekking permit). The most popular time for tours is October and November and March and April. While it can get very cold in winter and passes cannot be passed because of snow, in summer there is a lot of rain because of the monsoon.

The tours are not a walk and lead through remote areas. Sufficient preparation, adequate equipment, attention to weather conditions and enough time for altitude acclimatization (tips for prevention of altitude sickness) are indispensable. The rescue system in Nepal is in no way comparable to mountain rescue in Europe!

The last major disaster (before the Nepal earthquake) on the Annapurna Circuit was caused by a sudden cyclone in October 2014, which brought huge amounts of snow to the region during what is normally considered a "weather favorable" period. Numerous deaths by avalanches or freezing to death occurred especially around the Thorong La Pass (5416m).

2. HAVE A GOOD TIME – CHILL& RELAX

The soccer field in Pokhara Lakeside, which is right by the boardwalk: People wearing green jerseys play soccer on a green field with a goal, with trees and forested hills in the background

Pokhara, especially Pokhara Lakeside, is a tourist and tourist hotspot and offers luxury accordingly. On the "Baidam Road" resp. "Lakeside Road" is lined up with hotels, hostels, guesthouses, bars, coffee shops, tour operators, souvenir stores and equipment rentals like no other place in Nepal. The streets are teeming with people equipped with hiking boots and functional clothing. Meeting German speakers is not a rarity. Although I am normally not very enthusiastic about touristy areas, I was very happy about it in Pokhara. Finally drinking real coffee, varying the food or just drifting comfortably through the day – lovely. Pokhara is the perfect place to relax after a hiking and/or trekking tour.

Especially good coffee was served in the middle of Lake Side Road at the "Perky Beans", where you can escape the street hustle and bustle on the roof terrace. My favorite was the Freedom Cafe, very popular with backpackers, at the northern end of Pokhara at the end of the street promenade on Baidam Road, where you can also have a great meal. Wifi is available in almost all restaurants, bars and cafes. Unfortunately, power outages are not uncommon.

3. WALK ALONG THE LAKE PROMENADE AT PHEWA LAKE

The famous boats at Phewa Lake in Pokhara: several colorful, light blue boats (inside and outside) are hitched side by side at the lake. In the background you can see a forested hill

Those who have seen them once will recognize them for a lifetime: the unique colorful boats of Pokhara. The boats are, next to the peak of Machapuchare, a clear sign of Pokhara. For this reason alone it is a must to walk at least a few steps along the lake promenade, which by the way is only about 2 km long in its full length.

At the beginning of the promenade, where there is also a soccer field, there is a boat rental for tours and crossings of Lake Phewa or to visit the Hindu temple Tal Barahi, which is located on a small island.

4. SUNRISE AT THE VIEWPOINT SARANGKOT

The Annapurna massif with the triangular Fishtail is illuminated by the rising sun. Where the sun hits the mountain, it glows white. The unlit areas are grayish

Besides the must-see of the boardwalk because of the boats, a must-do is the excursion to the viewpoint Sarangkot at 1592m altitude at sunrise, where the peaks of the spectacular Annapurna massif are gradually illuminated by the rising sun (in my case it was unfortunately cloudy on my excursion day, but later I was granted a view).

The three eight-thousanders Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m) and Manaslu (8163m) are visible. However, the most impressive mountain is Machhapuchhare (6997m), sacred to Nepalis, which rises like a pointed triangle against the sky. It is also called Fishtail, or the "Matterhorn of the Himalayas". Climbing the peak has been prohibited since 1964.

For a visit to Sarangkot in the morning you have to leave early (best around 5 a.m. or earlier): either by cab, by bike or by walking.

On foot there are different routes: I chose the ascent near the village Happy Village (Khapeudi). To get there, simply follow Phewa Lake in a northerly direction until a sign in the village marks the turnoff to the right. From then on it goes steeply uphill. Three, better four hours walking time should be calculated, depending on the walking speed. No TIMS card or other permit is needed for this hike. To the observation deck you have to pay entrance fee.

5. PARAGUES

View of the city of Pokhara from the World Peace Pagoda: the weather is hazy. On the left is the lake, from the middle of the picture you can see the outlines of tiny houses

Those who are in the paragliding scene have known this for a long time: Pokhara is one of the most popular paragliding sites in the world. Good and reliable thermals allow, depending on weather conditions, paragliding flights throughout the year. Departure point is at Sarangkot. Tandem flights are offered for people who want a unique thrill of flying their legs out of 1.want to dangle 600 meters of altitude, offered. To my knowledge, there are a total of 5 agencies. The landing sites are located in the northern part of Phewa Lake (between Pokhara and Happy Village/Khapeudi). For solo flights you need a flight license.

Honestly, I was too cowardly. At that time I didn't know how great paragliding can feel. In the meantime, I had my first flight in Annecy, France, during my private multi-adventure sports week .

6. EXCURSION TO THE WORLD PEACE PAGODA

The white World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara in Nepal. The staircase leads to two plateaus that can be entered. People walk towards the pagoda

The World Peace Stupa, also called Shanti Stupa (Shanti also means peace), is located on the nearby Ananda Mountain and was built in 1973. It is one of 80 World Peace Pagodas worldwide, initiated by the Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii, who started building peace pagodas as sacred sites for world peace after World War II. The first two peace pagodas were built in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From the platform of the World Peace Pagoda the whole Phewa valley can be seen, also a view of the Annapurna massif is possible when the weather is fine.

There are different ways to reach them: either crossing Phewa Lake by boat or leaving the Lakeside neighborhood towards Pokhara Damside. Near Devi's waterfall the way up starts.

Small warning for those traveling in the monsoon season (circa June to September): In the area around Phewa Lake, but especially on little used paths to the World Peace Pagoda, numerous "leech attacks" have been reported. A leech infestation is not dangerous, but unpleasant. Therefore I recommend to wear long clothes and closed shoes in the rainy season.

7. VISIT DEVI'S FALLS WATERFALL

If you go on foot to the World Peace Pagoda, you will inevitably pass Devi`s water, which is touted as a great tourist attraction. My opinion of Devi's Waterfall (Patale Chhango in Nepali) is ambivalent. The time when the Pedi Khola disappears into its cave foaming wildly is limited to the rainy season or shortly thereafter. Afterwards it is (that's how I felt during my visit) rather unspectacular. The area to which you have to pay the entrance fee is also poorly maintained.

Where the name Devi's Falls comes from is entwined with numerous myths: once it is a Swiss woman who is said to have drowned there while skinny-dipping, then again it is a man named David. I had the impression that nobody knows that exactly.

The Pedi Khola just before it falls down at Devi's Falls: between two brown banks the green river can be seen with white foaming spray in front View of the visitor platforms at Devi's Falls, which flows down in the background

8. VISIT OF THE GUPTESHWOR MAHADEV CAVE

Opposite Devi's Falls is the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, which I found immensely more spectacular. A round staircase decorated with statues is descended to a shrine in a cave chamber. In the dry season it is also possible to reach the cave where Devi's Fall falls down through a tunnel.

The beautiful grayish staircase at Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave; there is a construction site above, and trees growing in the middle of the staircase

9. BIKE TOUR TO THE NEARBY VILLAGES

The numerous rental bikes that are offered make you want to go on a bike tour. If you think you can walk around Lake Phewa along the shore, you are wrong. This is only possible on foot. According to stories one is on the way for about one day.

Cheap rental bikes are very rickety, but sufficient for the very close and flat area. For longer tours, value should be placed on high quality and maintained bikes. The most popular mountain bike route with about 54km leads from Pokhara to Sarangkot and further to Naudanda.

I cycle through an archway with the inscription

10. JOIN A KAYAK OR RAFTING TOUR

Pokhara is not only the starting point for hiking and trekking in the Annapurna massif, but also for one-day or multi-day kayaking and rafting tours, for example on Kali Gandaki or the (Upper) Seti.

There are too many tour providers. I was traveling at the time with the agency Swissa Nepal, which is very popular with Israeli travelers. Their agency office in Pokhara is located in Phewa Marga (opposite a steak house). Action is in order!

But especially I would like to tell you about the rafting agency a friend of mine, Anu Shresta, is involved in: the Himalayan (Adventure) Girls . She and her colleagues were the first female rafting guides in Nepal. Unfortunately they have only one office in Kathmandu so far.

The sun shines on the river Kali Gandaki with a bank full of big stones Rafting on Kali Gandaki: blue boats are lying on the river bank

Summertime is travel time and therefore also boom time for nature and travel photography. But who doesn't know this: the beautiful idyllic old town alley is either partly lost in shadow or the sky and the roofs are overexposed when you look at it at home. For many amateur photographers, and this happens to some extent also to experienced photographers, this is a disappointment, because the shot does not correspond in any way to what was seen.

But how do you get particularly high-contrast motifs with a contrast range of approx. Get a grip on 14-15 f-stops?

Many subjects in travel and landscape photography have a strong contrast. Our eye can compensate high contrasts to a certain extent by adaptation. The contrast range (= dynamic range) of a digital camera's image sensor is very limited, just like the dynamic range of monitors, photographic paper or printed matter. A contrast range of the motif of approx. 8-9 f-stops can be displayed without problems. For an experienced photographer, who exposes exactly and possibly uses a calibrated monitor, a contrast range of 10-11 f-stops should not be too big a problem. But how do you get particularly high-contrast subjects with a contrast range of approx. 14-15 f-stops under control? There are many of these "problem subjects" in travel photography: Backlight shots, but also motifs such as idyllic sunsets at the sea or landscapes in the high mountains have high contrasts.

An important rule is to avoid strong contrasts in the first place. Many professional photographers shoot landscapes exclusively in the early morning hours or late afternoon to evening, because the light is much softer during this time. Long shadows are avoided when the sun is at the photographer's back. When taking backlight shots, make sure to position the main subject in front of a dark background, as in this case the high contrast will only be noticeable as a bright light fringe around the main subject. Long shadows can be very appealing, but you should make sure that the shadows have enough drawing. Depending on the camera model, the contrast range of the subject can be checked either by contrast measurement or histogram. If the contrast range is higher than 10 or 11 f-stops, the techniques described below should be used.

Graduated filter

A classic aid for high-contrast landscape photography, such as motifs in high mountains, is the graduated filter. This allows the sky to be exposed accurately, while at the same time the subject in the foreground receives enough light and is not underexposed. Graduated filters are available in neutral gray, but also in different colors, mostly in yellow or orange gradations. Graduated filters were indispensable, especially in analog landscape photography. Digital photography offers other possibilities through bracketing, HDR and RAW push, so that the graduated filters have lost some of their importance nowadays.

Bracketing/HDR

Bracketing (automatic exposure bracketing) and HDR are based on the idea of getting a grip on strong contrasts with different exposures. With HDR, exposure bracketing is done by the camera, whereas with bracketing, the exposure bracketing has to be manually edited and merged in an image processing program later on. With HDR, the resulting image often has a somewhat artificial, sometimes even relief-like character. The bracketing method is more time-consuming, but with a little practice you will get optimal results. Modern cameras offer sophisticated bracketing functions: you can select the number of exposure series, but also set the deviation of the exposure with an accuracy of one-third f-stops. As a starting point, an exposure series of 3 images with a deviation of one aperture each is recommended. A tripod is not necessarily required for the exposure bracketing, since the image can also be captured with the bracketing tool (e.g. 6 or 8 frames/second) can be captured. The camera automatically takes the set number of shots with the selected exposure compensation (in this example 3 images -1/0/+1 aperture). In the image editing program, the exposure series can be automatically superimposed as layers and positioned exactly. In the last step, the exposure series are copied into each other using suitable selection tools. The advantage: the photographer has the contrast range completely under control, in extreme cases up to, for example, 7 exposures with one-third aperture exposure differences each. The disadvantage: depending on the subject, this method can be very time-consuming, and this method is not suitable for moving subjects (surf, strong wind and trees, people in the picture).

Example photo, fishing boats at sunset, Lake Malawi: Autobracketing, 3 exposures -1/0/+1 EV, manually combined in Photoshop

RAW Push

Modern sensors of digital cameras offer an unbelievable RAW dynamic range of up to almost 15 f-stops. This is achieved by an extremely low image noise, so that shadow areas can be brightened ("pushed") very strongly without the image quality suffering extremely. It is important to note that this only applies to RAW images, so anyone who only uses JPEG images cannot benefit from this. The procedure is very simple: the image is exposed on the highlights, which leads to sometimes considerably underexposed shadow areas in case of very strong contrasts. With the RAW converter now only the shadows are lightened, and if necessary even up to 4-5 f-stops. The result is a correctly exposed image with good drawing in the highlights and in the shadows, so comparable to the bracketing method. The advantages: the method is very simple, no tripod is needed, no bracketing is necessary, and moving subjects can be captured (which is especially interesting for wildlife photographers). But there are also disadvantages: The full dynamic range of up to almost 15 f-stops is only available at ISO 100; at higher ISO values, the usable dynamic range decreases quite quickly. Due to the deliberate underexposure, the control image on the camera is usually very dark and it is therefore recommended to additionally take a normally exposed image as a control for possible later color corrections. The biggest disadvantage of this method: when you look closely (100% view), you will notice that the shadow areas have a higher noise level than the highlights of the image due to the pushing process. In general, this is not too big a problem, but you may have to accept that image agencies may reject images in extreme cases due to excessive partial noise, even though the image appears to be perfectly fine when viewed normally.

The techniques described are the daily tools of professional landscape photographers, but with a little practice, any amateur photographer can also implement these tips quite easily. The important thing is to develop a feeling for the contrast range of the subjects. Modern cameras support the photographer with aids such as histograms or over- and underexposure warnings. In this way, nothing should stand in the way of a relaxed trip, and any later disappointments about incorrect exposures with high-contrast subjects will hopefully be a thing of the past.

About Dietmar Temps:

Dietmar Temps is a graduate media and photo engineer as well as a trained photographer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the media industry. He lives in Cologne, Germany. His first professional steps in photography he could collect as a photoassistant in whole Europe as well as in America. Afterwards he studied photo and media technology at the Technical University of Cologne. Currently his main focus is on the realization of photo and internet projects with a strong focus on travel photography, social networking and video streaming.
On his travel blog he writes about his photo trips to the most beautiful places on earth, which he has undertaken in the past years. Among them were many trips to Africa, South America and Asia.
On his website you will find numerous photo series of his photographic work which has been published in coffee table books, magazines and travel blogs.

On 9. May, the state of alert due to the health crisis in Spain was lifted and it feels like everything is back to the way it used to be. Stores, restaurants and bars have reopened, although many fell by the wayside during the long lock-down and subsequent restrictions. Tourists are also making a tentative comeback. But many people are still uncertain about what to expect in Barcelona.

This post is to help you get an idea of what it's like in the Catalan capital at the moment and whether it's safe to travel to Barcelona.

From June 2021, tourism in Barcelona is set to be boosted again

Ironically, Barcelona's city council was considering 2019 in light of record numbers of
12 million visitors, how to stem the overwhelming flow of tourists that spills through Barcelona every year or at least steer it in a different direction. As it turned out, in 2020 no one could complain about all-taking vacationers, on the contrary. The pandemic caused a 70% drop in tourism sector revenue; Barcelona realizes how economically dependent it is on its international visitors and has plans to lure them back.

The Barcelona tourism consortium is confident. In the fall of 2020 it still predicted for 2021 the best year in the history of tourism. This time frame has since been revised to the second half of 2021. Numbers have also been set a bit more modestly, but at least the goal is to reach half the number of tourists compared to years prior to Corona.

Barcelona focuses on business travelers and national tourism

Barcelona has become a popular headquarters for international startups in the technology industry in recent years. The city government is looking to build on this and attract even more business travelers by hosting tech conferences and trade shows like the Mobile World Congress.

Barcelona also relies on national tourism; as in many other countries, Spaniards are rediscovering their country and even Catalans and Barcelonese are taking advantage of the absence of international visitors to explore Barcelona at their leisure.

Barcelona, a safe destination – Corona measures at a glance

But Barcelona also wants to bring back international tourists, who are the region's main source of income, and is going to great lengths to enforce anti-covid measures to present Barcelona as a safe travel destination.

Spain's government is also counting on the redemptive effect of the Covid vaccinations, 70% of the Spanish population should be immunized by August and the vaccination propaganda is in full swing.

Entering Barcelona with QR-Quode and with negative antigen rapid test

80% of tourists reach Barcelona by plane. In order to avoid a further spread of the pandemic, airports are being specially controlled and a number of security measures are being implemented.

Generally, masks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces throughout Spain for people over 6 years of age and there should be a minimum distance of 1.5 meters are respected. Outdoors, the masks have been allowed since 26.06. secluded, if the minimum distance can be guaranteed.

Who symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) that indicate Corona or has tested positive in the last 14 days, may not travel.

Sporadic temperature measurements will be taken, and more extensive investigations will be conducted if the temperature is elevated.

In addition to the usual documents such as passport or identity card, to enter Spain you need the so-called QR-Quode, the proof that you have filled out the form of the SpTH for health control.

The link for the form can be requested through the Spain Travel Health website (or directly through the app). The QR code must be presented at the airport on the cell phone or in paper form or on a cell phone. to be scanned. Caution, if the form was filled out more than 48 hours before departure, the trip can be denied, according to experience reports even if only minutes were exceeded! In other cases, the QR code is not checked at all.

The following information is required when filling out the FCS (Formulario de Control Sanitario) form of the SpTH:

Flight data: Airline, flight and seat number, date of flight
Personal data: Name, ID number, contact details
Home address and address at vacation destination

The following questions must be answered:

Have been in contact with people diagnosed with covid within the last 14 days? Which countries one has traveled to in the last 14 days and for which reason?

In addition, one must tick whether one is vaccinated, recovered from Covid, or has taken a test, in the latter case the type of test must be indicated, as well as the result. If you are the proud owner of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, you can also select it here.

Last but not least, one undertakes that all the information has been filled in truthfully.

All travelers over 6 years of age from countries at risk, which includes Germany, must also carry a negative PCR or TMA test, which must not be older than 72 hours. Since 7.6. a rapid antigen test is also sufficient, but it must not be older than 48 hours.

Those who are fully vaccinated against covid and the vaccination was given more than 14 days ago, do not need a test. Likewise, travelers who can prove that their recovery from Covid was not longer than 180 days ago.

Those who have symptoms related to covid should go to one of the health centers (CAP – Centro de Atencion Primaria) or dial 061, a type of medical advice center (you can choose from 90 languages and dialects). The emergency number in Spain is 112.

All data are without guarantee, because they are subject to constant changes.

Entry to Germany with rapid test

All entrants in Germany must carry a negative result of a PCR, TMA or antigen rapid test, which must not be older than 48 hours. The German tourist in Barcelona will most likely have to do two tests, one for entry in Barcelona and the other for entry in Germany. Alternatively, proof of vaccination or complete recovery can be shown.

Catalonia is no longer considered a risk area, therefore the entry registration and quarantine are no longer required.

All information without guarantee, since the regulations change constantly.

How to get the antigen rapid test in Barcelona for entry into Germany

The Covid antigen test can be purchased through the following website and the voucher can be redeemed in one of the health centers. Depending on the center, an appointment (cita previa) must be made in advance, usually the test, in which a nasal swab is taken, is quick and uncomplicated and the test result can be viewed online shortly or taken away immediately. In the centers where you do not need an appointment, it is best to go early in the morning to avoid waiting time.

Is a vacation in 2021 in Barcelona worthwhile?

Update December 2021 – All sights, museums and cultural institutions, as well as restaurants, bars, clubs and discos are open again (almost) without restrictions.

For more detailed information on the current Covid measures, I have created a recent post.

The state of alert has been lifted in Spain, restaurants and bars in Barcelona are open again in the evenings and there is limited nightlife. Discotheques and clubs had to be visited since 7.7. close again for at least 14 days.

New restrictions (as of 15.07.)

On 15.07. new measures were enforced due to the rising cases of covid infected people in Barcelona:

All social activities will be closed at 00:30 at the latest (restaurants, bars, concerts)
Meetings are limited to max. 10 persons, unless all persons belong to the same household
Access to the beach and parks is forbidden between 00:30 and 6:00

The last two measures are intended to put an end to the so-called botellones, a kind of open-air mass boozing that is especially popular among young people who have no money to get drunk in a bar, as this is the group that is considered the main culprit of the new covid wave in Barcelona.

Is the situation in Barcelona really so serious? It is true that suddenly many people you know seem to be sick with Covid. However, it is mainly the younger generation that has been hit, making it easier to cope with the virus, so the situation is not as serious as it was a year ago, and although the curve of infected people is rising, the number of fatalities is steadily decreasing.

Most attractions have reopened normally (see list below), and some, like Casa MilA, have used the time to modernize their visitor experiences. Also the Sagrada Familia opened its doors again as a latecomer at the end of May. However, many sights have restricted opening hours and not full visitor capacity is allowed.

Also beaches have a maximum capacity and have to be closed by the police from time to time if they are too crowded, which can happen especially on weekends.

You can go shopping or to the hairdresser without any restrictions and without an appointment and a negative test result (a test never had to be done in Spain).

Outdoors, wearing the masks is no longer required if the minimum distance of 1.5 meters can be guaranteed.

Opening hours of restaurants and bars in Barcelona

On 09. May, the state of alert in Spain was ended and with it restrictions like the night curfew. Punctually at 00:00 on 09. On May 5, people in Barcelona and other major cities in Spain took to the streets to loudly celebrate the regained "freedom" to celebrate, leaving behind corpses of alcohol and mountains of empty drunk bottles and other trash in Barcelona's squares, streets and beaches; because even though the festivities of that night were compared in the media to the New Year, all the good intentions made in the social medias seem to be forgotten and it continued as it left off more than 14 months ago.

The Spaniards still disinfect their hands eagerly at every corner, this should, according to experience, subside after they have all been vaccinated, already now you will have a hard time finding a full soap dispenser (or any soap dispenser at all) in a bar.

Busy square in Barcelona on a sunny spring day

Masks are compulsory in closed, public places

Masks are still compulsory in the supermarket, in the metro and inside the monuments. Only in the open air are the masks now allowed to be removed, if the minimum distance is respected.

In the restaurant, the mask should only be taken off when you are shoving food into your mouth or sipping your sangria. Fortunately, no one complies and in most restaurants the masks are removed as soon as you sit at the table. The only ones who always wear the mask are the poor waiters.

Dog and muzzled people in a metro in Barcelona

Tren del Silenci, Train of Silence, sounds good, I thought. Finally, no more loud train chatter at night through our small, quiet suburb of Barcelona. But behind it there is unfortunately something completely different.

The Spaniard is known to shout a lot and with pleasure, even on the train. This has changed in the meantime and you almost feel like you are on a German train. The fear of Corona is behind this, of course, because signs and loudspeaker announcements in the metro stations warn people to avoid speaking on the trains as much as possible, so as not to throw their viruses at passengers.

Sign indicating that no talking is allowed on the train

Only children under 6 years of age and persons with verifiable health problems are exempt from the mask requirement. The mask may also be removed during sports activities, and during activities that would be hindered by the mask, such as eating, drinking, and drinking . smoking.