Germany to Tighten Corona Rules for Travelers
By Imanuel Marcus	 On Jul 27, 2021
Photo: Imanuel Marcus
The federal government in Berlin is working on stricter rules for individuals who enter Germany, according to 'Funke Mediengruppe'. In the meantime, Georgia, the Netherlands and Spain are now 'High Incidence Areas'.
Berlin, July 27th, 2021 (The Berlin Spectator) — Starting today, entering Germany is more complicated for persons who come in from Georgia, the Netherlands or Spain. These three countries are now "High Incidence Area" from the perspective of Germany. This means people need to show vaccination certificates or proof they were infected with the Coronavirus up to six months ago. Those who do not have those documents need to go into a 10-day quarantine upon arrival. After a minimum of five days, people affected can end the quarantine with new, negative Corona tests.
Necessary or Disproportionate?
Flight passengers need vaccination certificates or negative PCR tests wherever they come from, no matter whether they are entering Germany from a "Risk Area", "High Risk Area" or a country with low Corona infection numbers. For those who enter by car, by train, by ship or on foot, the rules differ, depending on their origin. This is what Health Minister Jens Spahn wants to change as soon as possible, according to 'Funke Mediengruppe'.
The media affiliated with this publishing house report, Spahn intended to tighten the Corona test rules by requiring Corona tests for anyone who enters Germany without a vaccination certificate, or a document which proves the traveler was infected with Corona up to six months ago. Within the German government, this approach is being discussed. Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht does not support it because she believes it is "disproportionate".
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Reoccurring Problem
Spahn's intention to tighten to entry rules has to do with worries about returning vacationers. The government fears they might bring in more Corona infections and spread the virus further, especially if they are not being checked thoroughly. Required Corona tests for all non-vaccinated persons who enter the country could mitigate the problem, the Health Ministry hopes.
Like last year, the summer vacations and the fact that Germans travel all over the place in spite of Corona is causing problems. In 2020, the governments let German tourists go to Spain. The strategy backfired when the infection numbers exploded. The same is the case right now. The Delta variant of the Coronavirus has created a serious situation in Spain, while thousands of tourists are trying to enjoy their vacations there.
In Germany itself, the infection numbers are on the rise as well, but not quite as quickly. The Seven Day Incidence just reached 14.5. Hamburg and Berlin are the country's Corona hotspots right now, with Incidences of 26.8 and 24.8, respectively.
All relevant Corona numbers for Germany, and daily Corona updates, can be found in our Corona chronology.
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