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The United States was added to Germany’s “high-risk” list over the weekend resulting in new restrictions for American travelers. The announcement comes amidst a considerable increase in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks across the U.S.
The new guidance states that travelers who have spent time in the U.S. within 10 days before arrival to Germany will now have to be fully vaccinated or will need to “demonstrate an important reason” for visiting the country. These new travel restrictions are effective from August 15th.
Unvaccinated travelers, including those who are unable to show proof of vaccination or full recovery will be required to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival to Germany. The self quarantine could be cut in half to five days if the traveler has negative Covid-19 test results or can upload their recovery status from Covid.
The official website states that quarantine could be shortened if, “proof of recovery, proof of vaccination or a negative test result is submitted via the Federal Republic of Germany entry portal. Otherwise quarantine can be ended in each case from the time the negative test result has been submitted. The test may not be conducted earlier than five days after entry.”
Fully vaccinated means that the traveler has received their last dose of one of the approved Covid-19 vaccines no less than 14 days before arrival to Germany. You can show proof of full vaccination by a CDC card or in digital form (but note the website mentions that cellphone pictures will not be accepted). In addition, you should not be showing any symptoms of Covid-19 upon entry to Germany.
American Travelers Must Be Fully Recovered From Covid For Travel
U.S. travelers can also visit the country without quarantine if they can prove they are fully recovered from Covid-19. Travelers can show proof of recovery through a positive PCR test that was taken “at least 28 days but no more than six months prior” to arrival.
Because persons under the age of 12 can’t currently receive a Covid-19 vaccine, these travel restrictions only apply to travelers over the age of 12 years.
If you need to take a Covid-19 test while visiting Germany, be aware that PCR and rapid antigen tests are the accepted tests for Covid-19 in the country.
Want to know if your vaccine is approved for international travel? See here for the list of vaccines that are approved for travel to Germany.
Previously, travelers from the U.S. were required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test result in order to visit Germany.
Please note that all travelers should upload their required travel documents via the official country website only, or else your registration will not be accepted. Registering and uploading your documents to enter Germany is free.
Other Countries Added To ‘High-Risk’ List This Week With U.S.
Along with the United States., Vietnam, Israel and Turkey have been added to the list of “high-risk areas”. Other nations already on Germany’s high-risk travel list include the UK, Spain and Mexico.
These new travel restrictions for Americans currently do not apply to all countries in Europe. While the U.S. is still on the EU’s safe travel list, more EU countries have tightened travel restrictions over the past weeks due to the spread of the Delta variant.
Americans have been able to travel to Germany for almost two months since June 20th, when the nation lifted travel restrictions for all residents of the United States, including U.S. citizens, immigrants and non-immigrants.
These new restrictions won’t change much for vaccinated travelers who wish to travel to Europe. With a number of nations introducing vaccine passports for travel, it is becoming more common to show proof of vaccination to be able to move throughout the continent.
Read More:
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10 Scenic Spots To Explore In Germany
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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