Corona pandemic: new entry rules from Sunday

Stricter rules for entry from August 1st: Anyone coming from a virus variant area should also have to take a test with a full vaccination. The rules should apply until the end of the year.

Berlin’s governing mayor Michael Müller sees Germany at the beginning of a fourth corona wave. The SPD politician therefore urges you to hurry. “We have been pushing for weeks on the part of the federal states that more should happen and that the Federal Police control more closely. If it comes to the beginning of August, it will be good, but overdue and should also be implemented.”

The various federal ministries are still coordinating the final details. But the most important key points are already known: In future, the federal government will only divide other countries into two categories: high-risk areas and virus variant areas.

High risk areas are countries where the incidence is well above 100, hospitals are full, and tests are few. So far, the limit for a high-risk area was an incidence of 200.

High-risk area: vaccinated and convalescent have an advantage

For travelers from a high-risk area, the following applies: Vaccinated and Genesis patients can enter Germany without any problems. Everyone else has to be in quarantine for ten days. Free testing with a PCR test is possible after five days. For children under the age of twelve, the quarantine ends automatically after five days.

Anyone who comes from an area with worrying virus variants must be in quarantine for two weeks and everyone must submit a test, including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. For example, South Africa and Brazil are currently virus variant areas.

Antigen test before departure

Another important change: A test obligation for all travelers from the age of twelve who have not been vaccinated or have recovered. Previously, only air travelers had to submit a negative test before departure. This is now also necessary in the train or in the car. An antigen test is sufficient for this.

Airline employees, train attendants and federal police officers should check this. Andreas Rosskopf from the police union points out that with the 3800 kilometers border, numerous train stations and airports, this is only partially possible. “For this reason, comprehensive, complete control is not possible. We are not equipped for this in terms of personnel or infrastructure. However, random checks are feasible at any time.”

In addition, the health authorities can, as before, ask for a test, vaccination or proof of a coronavirus disease after entering the country. Even if the new rules for entry are not yet official – the Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer welcomes the approach. “We haven’t had any good experiences with return travelers in the last year. Such a test is not much of a hassle. Why should one differentiate between air travelers and other return travel options? I think that’s good if the federal government decides that.”

Criticism from the FDP

On the other hand, criticism comes from the FDP. Marcel Klinge is the tourism policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group. He rejects an obligation to test: “Many people will now consider leaving the country at all. Those who are already on a well-deserved vacation will not know how to come back. Obligatory testing unsettles many people and ensures that the tourism industry receives another blow in the neck . ”

The new entry rules should take effect from Sunday and apply until the end of the year. Some legal questions are still open. The Bundestag and Bundesrat may have to agree that the Infection Protection Act will be changed accordingly. According to the coalition’s right-wing politicians, this is also possible retrospectively. A special session of the Bundestag at the end of August or beginning of September is under discussion.