The German government has moved to ban inbound travel from several different countries around the world, as the nation attempts to control the entry of mutated strains of Covid-19 across its borders. Germany is one of the most visited countries in the world, typically welcoming tens of millions of travelers per year.
However, the events of the past year have painted a different story, with travel to the country all but ended, and set to get even worse from today. Here’s what we know about the ban, the Covid-19 situation in the country and other measures the country has taken to stem the spread of the virus.
Germany’s Travel Ban – Information for Travelers
Germany last night announced a ban on entry for arrivals from several different countries, as the European nation looks to “protect the German population” from further harm. The countries that the ban applies to are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal and South Africa, and it means that entry to Germany via land, sea or air will be denied to those countries. The ban is due comes into effect from today, and is expected to last until February 17th at the earliest.
These countries were selected due to the difficulties that have arisen in them as a result of different strains of the Covid-19 virus. Three particular strains of the virus – thought to have originated in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Brazil – are noted as being more transmissible than the original Covid-19 strain, and as a result have been deemed responsible for dramatic increases in cases in the aforementioned countries.
Despite efforts from the EU to try and broker a coordinated response to the current situation of the pandemic, a lack of progress on this front led to Germany taking the matter into its own hands, and acting in its best interests. The ban includes exceptions, such as those with residence in Germany and those with connecting flights, and the need to enter for health reasons or urgent humanitarian grounds.
Can Other Travelers Enter Germany?
As is the case with several other countries around the world, entry to Germany is extremely restricted at present, and international travel is widely discouraged. However, it is still possible for some travelers to visit the country.
Those arriving from the EU and other states associated with Schengen, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, can enter Germany. Germany also allows unrestricted entry from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. Entry from other countries not listed is only possible in exceptional cases, and is conditional on there being urgent need to do so.
Covid-19 and Germany’s Response – Information for Travelers
Germany has seen reductions recently in the number of daily cases that the country is having to deal with, which many have attributed to its response to the virus. Despite hitting its highest daily case figure of 49,044 as recently as December 30th, the country has seen case numbers fall substantially since, with the country now having a rolling 7-day average of 11,733.
Germany has been under a strict lockdown for several months now, which has seen non-essential shops close, schools switch to online learning and bars, cafes and restaurants either close or switch to take-out only. Whilst life has been tough for the German people, their relative Covid-19 successes are a testament to the rules in place and the adherence of its people, and travel ban might be the missing puzzle piece needed to edge closer to normality.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories