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Vacationers at the airport in Palma de Mallorca
Photo: Clara Margais / dpa
The federal government has introduced a general obligation to test for those returning to travel.
On Friday, the federal cabinet passed a corresponding ordinance by Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) by circulation, as the deputy government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer announced.
The new regulation stipulates that travelers who have not been vaccinated or recovered must present a current corona test from this Sunday.
This applies to all countries, regardless of the means of transport.
The regulation applies to all people from the age of twelve.
There is already a compulsory test for all flight passengers.
In future, it will apply to all modes of transport, including those arriving by car or train.
"This way we reduce the risk of additional infections being entered," said Spahn.
Rapid tests by specialist staff or PCR laboratory tests are recognized.
Both travelers have to pay themselves.
Rapid tests may not have been carried out more than 48 hours ago on arrival in Germany, more precise PCR tests may not be more than 72 hours.
In virus variant areas, the deadline for rapid tests is reduced to 24 hours.
The proof must be in German, English, French, Italian or Spanish - digitally or on paper.
Paper proofs photographed by mobile phone should not be accepted during controls due to the risk of abuse.
Category of risk area does not apply
In addition, there should only be two instead of three categories for areas with a higher risk of infection: high-risk areas and areas in which new, worrying virus variants are circulating.
The simple risk area will no longer exist in the future.
Regions with a particularly high number of cases are considered high-risk areas.
One indication should be a seven-day incidence of "significantly more than 100".
However, other factors such as the number of tests and the number of Covid sufferers in the hospitals should also be considered.
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For travelers who come from an area with a new, worrying variant, a test will in future apply without exceptions.
"Proof of recovery or proof of vaccination are not sufficient in this case," says the regulation.
Most recently, the federal government removed the Netherlands and Great Britain from the corresponding list because the delta variant has already established itself in Germany.
Quarantine for the unvaccinated
It is also planned that those who have not been vaccinated and those who have not recovered have to be in quarantine for ten days after their return, which can be ended with a negative test on the fifth day at the earliest.
A requirement for PCR tests that was initially planned was no longer applicable.
For children under twelve, the quarantine should generally end after the fifth day after entry.
When returning from virus variant areas, a quarantine at home for 14 days is still generally provided.
In view of the decreasing demand for vaccinations in Germany, the Minister of Health promoted the practical benefits of immunization.
Traveling is generally easier with a vaccination, said Spahn.
Vaccinated people save tests and generally do not have to be in quarantine.
»The vaccination offer for everyone in the summer is available.
We have enough vaccine. "
Söder announces spot checks by veil manhunt
In general, you have to have the relevant proof with you when you arrive and present it in the event of "random" checks by the authorities.
Air travelers must show the airline the proof before take-off, on cross-border trains it should also be possible during the journey.
Direct border controls of all entering cars are not planned - but one should at least expect checks.
For Bavaria, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) announced increased random checks and controls by means of veil searches in the SPIEGEL interview.
The health authorities should also check 20 percent of the digital entry registrations.
slü / dpa