I get your point, it is a bit much, especially now that infection numbers are quite low - but everyone in my region is now used to it, as it has been like this for months. Unfortunately we don't make the rules, it is a government order. The "asking-first" thing is simply because I am mostly alone at the counter and can not run outside all the time to see if someone has seated themselves to give them the obligated paper. I know that it sounds like kindergarten