FAQ
As of: 28.06.2021 4:34 p.m.
The seven-day incidence is still at a low level. But with the travelers returning, the corona virus could spread faster again in the next few weeks. How should that be prevented? What applies to vacationers?
What is the initial situation like?
Numerous countries have recently registered falling new infection rates – and so relaxed the corona rules just in time for travel time. At the same time, states such as Israel, Russia and Portugal are recording a significant increase in the number of delta variant cases. There is great concern about a new corona wave despite the increasing vaccination rate. But how can you prevent holidaymakers from causing new outbreaks after their return journey? Experts and politicians are calling for entry rules and controls to be tightened. This is to ensure that the virus does not spread rapidly again in Germany with the delta variant.
What are the rules for those returning to travel?
The rules for entry differ considerably depending on the country. The website of the Robert Koch Institute lists the countries in a regularly updated list.
The federal government has the regulations in the so-called Coronavirus entry regulation set. Among other things, three main categories are named: simple risk areas, high incidence areas and virus variant areas. The Ministry of Health, the Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior jointly carry out the classifications.
As a simple one risk areas the regions in which an increased risk of corona infection has been determined apply. This currently includes, for example, Turkey or individual regions in Ireland, Spain and Sweden. Italy, among others, was removed from the risk list at the beginning of the month. That means: Anyone who returns by land from vacation in Austria or Italy does not currently have to present a negative test. Exceptions are air travel.
In the case of a particularly high incidence, one High incidence area spoken. Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and the Seychelles are currently included. In one Virus variant area Certain variants of the coronavirus have occurred widespread. Most recently, Portugal and Russia were classified as virus variant areas.
Risk area, high incidence area, virus variant area – how do the rules differ?
Entrants from a simple risk area, variant or high incidence area must register their entry – for example on the digital entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de. In addition, there is actually a quarantine obligation. That means: After entering the country, those affected have to go straight to their home or accommodation and are not allowed to receive any visits. However, there are exceptions to the quarantine requirement. For example, a negative rapid test is sufficient for people entering from risk areas to avoid quarantine. This is also possible with proof of recovery or proof of vaccination.
A negative test result alone is not sufficient for high incidence areas and virus variant areas. Travelers from a high-incidence area – i.e. from areas with a particularly high number of cases – have to be in quarantine for ten days. Travelers from a virus variant area even two weeks. However, when entering from a high-incidence area, the quarantine can be shortened after five days – with a test. There are exceptions with proof of recovery or proof of vaccination. When entering from virus variant areas, there is no option to end the quarantine prematurely.
What applies to air travel?
Air travelers must in any case present a negative test result, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery before departure, writes the Robert Koch Institute. This applies regardless of the travel destination – and the question of whether it is a risk area or not.
What are politicians and experts asking for?
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach suggests that vacationers should be tested before returning home and then again five days after entering the country. “It would be a wise arrangement to even include quarantine for those who come from risk areas in the five days in between,” he says.
Hamburg’s Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) suggests that all non-vaccinated travelers returning from risk areas and high-incidence areas go into quarantine. Tschentscher told the “Welt” that this should not be lifted before five days in the event of a negative PCR test.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) calls for better controls on entry. “It would help a lot if all of the control obligations that exist are complied with and this is then checked,” said Söder.
The Association of Towns and Municipalities rejects stricter rules for those returning to travel. “More important than an adjustment of the entry regulation is the control of the existing regulations for entry registration and quarantine”, said chief executive Gerd Landsberg of the Funke media group.
The Federal Government’s Tourism Commissioner, Thomas Bareiß, rejects the tightening. “The highest safety regulations already apply to those areas from which a danger arises due to the delta variant. It should stay that way.” Bareiß said that clear and comprehensible regulations had been created with the nationwide entry regulation. However, it spoke out in favor of being particularly vigilant. “That can also include stricter controls on current regulations.”
How is the federal government reacting?
A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior said the federal and state governments are in talks on the subject. On this Monday, the heads of the state chancelleries wanted to discuss the issue with the federal government in one slot. However, Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has already made it clear that he rejects stationary border controls. The Federal Ministry of Health stated that “currently no change to the entry regulations” is planned.
And the Chancellor is also against tightening the entry rules. Angela Merkel spoke out against border controls that were temporarily introduced last year. These are “something very hard,” she said in front of the Franco-German parliamentary assembly. She is of the opinion “that something like this should not happen again”.