Germany: Authorities cancel planned Easter lockdown April 1-5; other restrictions remain in effect. /update 38

Event

Authorities in Germany have canceled a planned lockdown that would have been imposed over the Easter holiday period April 1-5 following significant criticism. Nonetheless, authorities previously extended current domestic COVID-19 restrictions until at least April 18 due to increasing infection rates; the measures were due to be eased March 28. Measures vary slightly between regions; however, restrictions generally remaining in place nationwide include:

Private gatherings are limited to five people from a maximum of two households.
Many nonessential businesses and services are closed; those that are permitted to open must adhere to strict hygiene and social distancing measures.
Restaurants and bars remain closed except for delivery and carryout services; outdoor dining areas are permitted to open in limited regions with lower infection rates.
Public recreation centers and entertainment facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, saunas, cinemas, and theaters are closed; certain cultural venues such as museums and galleries are permitted to open in regions with lower infection rates.
Large events are suspended.
Employees are advised to work from home whenever possible.
Tourism-related hotel stays are suspended.
Nonessential travel is discouraged.
Social distancing guidelines of at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) are in effect.
Authorities require individuals to wear filter facemasks with a filtering facepiece protection class of at least 2 (FFP2) on public transport and in stores and public offices.

Furthermore, regional authorities are instructed to impose additional restrictions on gatherings and businesses should the local infection rate increase during this period.

International Travel Restrictions
Authorities previously extended an existing ban on direct passenger transport with so-called "virus variant areas," i.e., locations deemed to be at increased risk of infection from a novel variant of COVID-19, until at least March 31. As of March 21, the UK and Ireland were removed from the list of virus-variant areas, while Brazil, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Tyrol in Austria, Moselle in France, and several southern African countries remain designated virus-variant areas. Entry from these areas is limited to German nationals and residents, as well as certain essential workers; all permitted arrivals must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the previous 48 hours if requested by authorities. Individuals not traveling for essential work are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Border officials are conducting random checks on private vehicles entering the country from virus-variant areas that share a border with Germany.

Other international entry restrictions also remain in force. Most travel from outside the EEA, with the exception of that from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand, is prohibited. Exemptions are in place for EU nationals or residents and their family members, individuals carrying out essential work, or individuals traveling for urgent reasons. Permitted individuals arriving from a "risk area" must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival and self-isolate for at least 10 days; this quarantine can be ended early following a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken on or after the fifth day. Permitted individuals who have spent any time in a "high-incidence area" in the previous 10 days must meet the same self-isolation requirements in addition to presenting proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 48 hours prior to travel. For a full English-language list of locations designated by the German government as virus-variant, risk, and high-incidence areas, click here.

Authorities could ease, tighten, or otherwise amend restrictions with little-to-no notice based on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.