Germany: Authorities tighten COVID-19 entry restrictions for travelers from several countries as of March 26 /update 40

Event

Authorities in Germany have tightened COVID-19-related entry restrictions for travelers from certain countries. As of March 26, France, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are considered "high incidence" areas. All travelers who have spent any time in a high incidence area in the last 10 days must self-isolate for at least 10 days in addition to presenting a negative COVID-19 test result before departure for Germany. In addition, Israel and Denmark will be considered risk areas. Permitted individuals arriving from "risk areas" must self-isolate for at least 10 days in addition to presenting a negative COVID-19 test before departure; however, the quarantine can be ended early by testing negative for COVID-19 once more on or after the fifth day of isolation. For a full English-language list of locations designated by the German government as virus-variant, risk, and high-incidence areas, click here.

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. Starting March 28, all travelers arriving in Germany by air must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the previous 48 hours; originally, only travelers arriving from designated risk areas were required to provide such a test.

Authorities have 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 26, Brazil, Moselle in France, and several southern African countries including South Africa remain designated virus-variant areas. Entry from these areas is limited to German nationals and residents, as well as certain essential workers. 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.

Domestic restrictions
A number of domestic restrictions remain in force in Germany. Measures vary slightly between regions; however, controls 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.
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.

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.