Germany: Authorities extend COVID-19 lockdown measures until March 28 /update 35

Event

Germany has extended domestic measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 until March 28. However, authorities have also announced a five-step plan to gradually ease restrictions on a regional or state level depending on the local infection rate:

Step 1: Schools, daycare centers, and hairdressers can reopen. This step has been in effect since March 1.
Step 2: Bookstores, florists, and contact businesses can reopen under strict conditions. This step is available no earlier than March 8.
Step 3: Museums, zoos, gardens, and retail businesses with at least 10 square meters of space per customer can reopen under strict conditions. This step is available no earlier than March 8.
Step 4: Outdoor dining, theaters, concert venues, cinemas, and opera houses can reopen. This step is available no earlier than March 22.
Step 5: Up to 50 people can gather for outdoor recreational events, and sports restrictions will be lifted. This step is available no earlier than April 5.

Each state or region may only take the next step after the present step has been in effect for 14 days without a spike in the local infection rate. A snapback mechanism will come into effect should the local infection rate exceed 100 cases per 100,000 people in a week.

Additionally, numerous domestic restrictions continue to apply nationwide:

Private gatherings are limited to two people unless they are members of the same household.
All nonessential shops and services are closed; however, hairdressers are allowed to operate.
Restaurants and bars remain closed except for delivery and carryout services.
Public recreation centers and entertainment facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, saunas, cinemas, and theaters, are closed.
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.
Residents of COVID-19 hotspots may not travel more than 15 km (9.3 miles) from their district of residence without a valid reason for travel.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities previously extended an existing ban on direct passenger transport with so-called "virus variant areas:" locations deemed to be at an increased risk of infection from a novel variant of COVID-19; the directive will remain in effect until at least March 17. Designated virus variant areas include Brazil, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Tyrol in Austria, Moselle in France, and several southern African countries. Entry from these areas is restricted 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. 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 Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand, is prohibited. Exceptions 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 self-isolate for at least 10 days on arrival; 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.