Germany: Authorities to expand COVID-19 travel ban to include travelers from Portugal and Russia from June 29 /update 52

Event

The German government has designated Portugal and Russia as COVID-19 "virus-variant" areas of concern and imposed an entry ban on travelers from these countries effective June 29. Brazil, India, Nepal, the UK, Uruguay, and several southern African countries, including South Africa, are already designated virus-variant areas. Only German nationals and residents, as well as certain essential workers, are allowed to enter the country from these locations. The restrictions also apply to individuals who have spent any time in a virus-variant area in the previous 10 days. Permitted arrivals from virus-variant areas must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival; they must also self-isolate for 14 days upon entry. Persons in self-isolation will not be permitted to end quarantine early after a subsequent negative COVID-19 test.

Generally, Germany prohibits entry by non-vaccinated individuals from outside the EEA, except for those from Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Travelers who have spent any time in a designated "high-incidence area" or "risk area" in the previous 10 days must possess a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival and self-isolate for 10 days. In some regions, individuals may end isolation early by taking a second test no sooner than five days after arrival. Travelers who have either received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine no less than 14 days before arrival or have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from quarantine requirements. Exceptions are also in place for individuals in transit, transport workers, and cross-border commuters. For a full English-language list of locations designated by the German government as virus-variant, risk, and high-incidence areas, click here.

As of June 28, fully vaccinated travelers from outside the EEA and associated countries are allowed to enter Germany for non-essential purposes provided at least 14 days have passed since they received a full dosage of an approved vaccine. Only travelers inoculated with vaccines approved by German authorities will be allowed entry; for a full list of vaccines approved by German authorities, click here.

All arrivals must complete a digital entry registration form prior to entry; exceptions apply for transit passengers and cross-border commuters. All travelers arriving in Germany by air must present either a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test within the 48 hours prior to arrival.

Domestic Restrictions
Starting July 1, employers will no longer be required to allow employees to work from home; however, working from home is encouraged. Employers must continue to offer all employees who work face-to-face two weekly COVID-19 tests except for fully vaccinated individuals or those who have recovered from COVID-19.

Other restrictions vary slightly between regions. Generally, gatherings are limited to five people, and nonessential businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Individuals who have received the full course of a COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months are exempt from certain restrictions, including the nightly curfew and limits on gatherings. Authorities require individuals to wear facemasks with a filtering facepiece protection class of at least 2 (FFP2) on public transport and in stores and public offices nationwide. For more details on regional restrictions, click here.

Authorities have legislation in place that will automatically impose tougher restrictions in districts where the seven-day incidence rate of new infections is greater than 100 people per 100,000 inhabitants for three days in a row. These tighter measures include a 22:00-05:00 curfew, closure of nonessential businesses, and strict limits on social gatherings. As of June 28, no districts are exceeding this threshold.

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.

Resources

Government of Germany
COVID-19 Self-isolation and testing requirements
Map of Infection Rates per County
World Health Organization (WHO)