Entry rules: what vacationers need to consider

In view of the spread of the delta variant, there should be stricter entry rules. But when does the mandatory test start for everyone? The federal government does not want to commit itself yet. First of all, new rules for vaccinated people come into force.

Summer, sun and falling incidences – that was once upon a time. In Germany, but also in many holiday countries, the number of new corona infections is increasing significantly. In addition, the more contagious Delta variant is spreading more and more. However, this development has not yet been taken into account in the entry regulations of the federal government that will apply from today. It is therefore essentially limited to demonstrably vaccinated or convalescent people being exempted from quarantine, unlike before, if they enter from a virus variant area.

A detailed overview of the new provisions can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of Health. Which countries are currently classified as risk areas, high incidence areas or virus variant areas can be determined check on a list from the Robert Koch Institute. Actually, the rules that have been in effect since today should apply until September 10th. In view of the increasing corona numbers, the federal government is apparently now planning to significantly tighten the rules as early as August 1st. An overview:

Are there new rules for all vacationers?

No, for most holidaymakers nothing should change with the introduction of the new immigration regulations. The changes that will apply from today primarily affect travelers who want to return to Germany from a virus variant area. Quarantine is now no longer required for those who have been completely vaccinated and those who have recovered. However, since more and more countries are being classified as risk areas again, it is advisable to keep an eye on the relevant provisions for the respective holiday destination before and during the trip.

What if i travel to a risk area?

The ordinance of the Federal Government basically distinguishes between three categories: the “normal” risk areas, high-incidence areas and the virus variant areas that are now mainly in focus. These are regions in which a mutated form of the coronavirus – such as the delta variant – is widespread.

The following applies to all three categories: Anyone who was in a risk area within the last ten days prior to entry must submit a digital entry registration to return to Germany. This must also be completed when traveling by air – regardless of the risk classification. There is a dedicated homepage for this.

If the digital entry registration is not possible due to a lack of technical equipment or technical malfunctions, a substitute notification in paper form must be filled out as an alternative. If this is not requested by the travel provider or the border police in rare exceptional cases, either the digital entry registration must be made up at the latest 24 hours after entry or the completed substitute notification must be sent in by post (Deutsche Post E-POST Solutions GmbH, 69990 Mannheim).

What about vacation in Europe?

The delta variant is spreading more and more. Popular travel destinations such as Portugal, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Spain have already been designated as high incidence areas again. Denmark, Greece, Turkey and parts of Croatia and France are considered risk areas. If you are unsure what applies to your own travel destination, you can go to check a list from the Robert Koch Institute.

Who needs tests or has to be quarantined?

Anyone who has stayed in a region classified as a high-risk or high-incidence area must be in quarantine for ten days at their own expense. However, this does not apply if proof of vaccination or convalescence can be presented. Alternatively, the quarantine can be ended with a negative test result – but in high-incidence areas this is only possible after five days.

For people returning from a virus variant area, the quarantine lasts four days longer – a total of 14 days. Nor can it be shortened by taking a test. This quarantine will no longer apply to those who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered.

What if the classification changes?

If a virus variant area is downgraded to a high-incidence area after entry and during the 14-day quarantine, the respective regulations for high-incidence areas apply. That means: The quarantine can be ended with a test after five days or is not applicable for vaccinated and convalescent people.

If the classification as a risk area is completely deleted for a country during the entry quarantine, the quarantine obligation ends immediately.

What applies to air travel?

All people who come to Germany by plane must show the carrier a negative test result, proof of vaccination or proof of health before departure – regardless of whether the country of take-off has a risk status.

Where and from when should tightening now take place?

The federal government is planning a general compulsory test for everyone who comes from abroad – including all holidaymakers. “The federal government has now assured us that it will try everything by August 1st to introduce a uniform test requirement, not only for air travelers,” announced Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder in the daily topics on. According to the CSU boss, the new regulation will be quite simple: “Everyone needs a test.”

That would mean that everyone, including those traveling by train, bus or car, would have to undergo a test. Söder wants to use veil searches for the controls of motorists – not only directly at the border, but also in the surrounding area. The plans to extend the test obligation to all return travelers had already become known from the Ministry of Health.

However, the federal government leaves the start of the general corona test obligation open. The deputy spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer did not name a date and pointed out that internal coordination was still ongoing. Regulations for return travelers are also on the list of topics for the corona deliberations between Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the state premiers on August 10. What can be clarified beforehand will of course be clarified. The rule is: “The faster, the better.”

The SPD also advocates a general obligation to test for those returning to travel. Secretary General Lars Klingbeil said in a joint Morning magazine from ARD and ZDF: “We as the SPD – including the Minister of Justice – want travel to be safer. And that means expanding the obligation to test.” But that must be legally clean and proportionate. It is now up to Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn to create a legally secure basis.

Are there any concerns too?

Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht initially made a cautious statement. She spoke to the newspapers of the Funke media group on Tuesday of disproportionate considerations. But she also confirmed that the federal government is in “constructive talks” to find ways to “make travel even safer”.

The federal government’s tourism commissioner, Thomas Bareiß (CDU), turned against stricter entry rules. “The provisions of the entry regulations have served us well even in times with higher incidences – that’s what they are designed for.”

The police union (GdP) was also skeptical: “I see a possible expansion of the corona test obligation to all unvaccinated travelers returning critically,” said the chairman of the GdP for the federal police, Andreas Roßkopf, of the “Rheinische Post”. “We as the federal police would be responsible for the controls in trains and at stations,” said Roßkopf. But the police already have “barely enough staff to deal with day-to-day business there.”

With material from AFP