Traveling in corona times: compulsory testing for all returnees to Germany probably from August 1st

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Stricter rules for travelers could apply as early as August

Photo: Fabian Sommer / dpa

It should start in a few days.

According to Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), the federal government is planning to make tests mandatory for everyone who enters Germany very soon.

“The federal government assured us today that it will now try everything until August 1st with a uniform test requirement.

Not only for air travel, but also, for example, for everything that comes on a normal car route or train route, «said Söder on Tuesday evening in the ARD» Tagesthemen «.

He thinks that is now more understandable, clearer and safer.

The originally planned date for an entry regulation from September 11 would have been "a joke," said Söder, "the vacation is over, even in the countries with late vacation."

The countries had put pressure on because they needed a reliable basis for entry, said Söder in the evening.

In the afternoon he was told that a legal basis would be created so that implementation would work on August 1st.

"The rule is relatively simple, everyone needs a test that arrives again, so to speak, whether he comes by car, train or plane."

Quarantine when returning from certain areas

It was already leaked yesterday that Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) wants to oblige travelers in the future to submit a negative corona test when they enter Germany - regardless of which areas and which means of transport they come to Germany.

"The Federal Ministry of Health is for the fastest possible expansion of the test requirements on entry," said a spokeswoman for Spahns on Tuesday on request.

So far, the obligation to test applies to air passengers and travelers from high-risk areas who are not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus or who have not recovered from Covid-19 disease.

Now the Ministry of Health wants "the fastest possible expansion of the test requirements on entry," it says in the media report.

Spain and the Netherlands have been high incidence areas since 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

This means that additional requirements apply when entering Germany from there: Anyone returning to Germany from a high-incidence area and not fully vaccinated or recovered must be in quarantine for ten days, but can shorten this after five days with a negative test.

Criticism from the tourism officer

SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach also spoke out in favor of such a regulation. "A general compulsory test when entering Germany for anyone who is neither fully vaccinated nor recovered makes a lot of sense from a medical point of view," he told the editorial network in Germany. "When traveling on vacation, there is generally a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus due to the larger number of contacts - initially regardless of the travel location and the means of transport used."

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."

However, the applicable rules should also be effectively controlled.

jok / mjm / dpa