Immigration update: Germany | Coronavirus entry regulations in new Ordinance
Coronavirus entry regulations in new Ordinance
The government has provided an update regarding the new Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations on May 12th, 2021. This new Ordinance combines the original Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations, the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance, and the Model Quarantine Regulations. The travel ban has been integrated into the new ordinance and remains effective until further notice.
Who will be affected?
People planning to travel to Germany, the new regulations covers the registration, testing and verification obligations and quarantine regulations, which are now regulated on a uniform federal basis.
Impact Entry regulations
If travellers have stayed in a risk area in the last ten days, they must register electronically via the digital entry registration Digital Registration on Entry before entering Germany. Travelers who have been in a risk area in the last ten days prior to entry must additionally upload via the entry portal the test, convalescent or vaccination proofs as well as proofs (free testing from the quarantine obligation) and documents for claiming exemptions from the quarantine and testing obligation as soon as they have such proof.
A general obligation on travellers entering Germany by air to provide proof of testing: As a general rule, travellers entering Germany by plane must – irrespective of whether or not they have spent time in a risk area (incl. high-incidence area and area of variants of concern) – present a negative test result to their carrier prior to departure.
Areas of variant of concern: The government issued a statement that a temporary limitation shall be imposed on carriage of travellers from countries designated as regions with widespread occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern (referred to as “areas of variant of concern”). Please note that currently the following states are currently considered as areas of variant of concern: Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Travel from these regions is at the moment not possible, there are only a few, strictly defined exceptions to this travel ban namely for:
+ People who are residents in Germany with a current right to reside in the country
+ People with connecting flights, who do not leave the transit zone of an international airport
+ Few other special cases, one being German Citizens who do not have a residency in Germany currently.
Impact Federal quarantine obligations
The quarantine obligations are based on the classification of the area from which the travellers come. You can find out which countries are currently classified as risk areas, high incidence areas or virus variant areas in this list from the International Risk Areas – RKI
The following applies to entry from risk areas: Persons who have stayed in an area classified as a risk area – at the time of entry – for the last ten days before entering Germany must immediately go into quarantine at their own expense for a period of at least ten days after entry.
The following applies to entry from a high incidence area: After a stay in a high incidence area, quarantine can be ended prematurely at the earliest after the fifth day by a negative test.
When entering from a virus-variant area, the following applies: Everyone – including convalescents or vaccinated persons – must adhere to a strict 14-day quarantine; there is no “free testing option” here against the background of the particular dangerousness of the virus variants. The person in quarantine will be allowed to leave the apartment or accommodation to be tested. Anyone wishing to be tested should go to the test centre by the most direct route and comply with the protective and hygiene regulations.
Proof of vaccination or of recovery from COVID-19: This can replace a negative test certificate and exempt travellers from quarantine on entry. This does not apply if they have spent time in an area of variant of concern prior to entry.
For more information on the foregoing obligations, exemptions and requirements regarding the relevant proofs please click here.
How to conduct yourself when in Germany?
Mouth and nose must be covered in public areas such as public transport, stores and busy outdoor places or where the minimum distance to others cannot be kept. Masks must fulfil the requirements of FFP2, KN95/N95 or surgical masks. The German Government passed the bill regarding the so called National “Emergency break” measures until June 30th, 2021. These measures are subject to the 7-day incidences rate and include the following: lockdown, travel ban, curfew, closure of non-essential shops with restrictions, limitations on social contact.
Next Steps (or) Actions Required
Based on the evolution of COVID-19, the situation is continuously evolving. Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Claudia McDaniel
Immigration Team Lead
Santa Fe Relocation Germany
D: +49 6190 8993 800
E: claudia.mcdaniel@santaferelo.com
To read more immigration updates, click here
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