Before going home from vacation abroad, many Germans will have to do something else in addition to packing their suitcases: a corona test.
But it can also be easier.
Berlin - For those returning from summer vacation, a new mandatory test to protect against the spread of corona should apply from this Sunday.
"All unvaccinated people entering Germany must be tested in the future - regardless of whether they come by plane, car or train," said Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). “This will reduce the risk of additional infections being entered.” The federal cabinet wants to pass the ordinance, which also regulates a new classification for global risk areas, on Friday - shortly before the end of the big holidays in the first federal states.
The new requirements mean extra work, especially for people who do not have a full vaccination, which also affects most older children.
Because the test obligation arises from the fact that a general obligation to provide evidence is introduced: From Sunday, everyone from the age of 12 must be able to prove when entering the country that the risk of transmission is reduced: with proof of a vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
Such a requirement has already existed for all flight passengers.
In view of the weaker demand for vaccinations in Germany, Spahn once again promoted the practical benefits.
Traveling is generally easier with a vaccination.
Vaccinated people save tests and generally do not have to be in quarantine.
“The vaccination offer for everyone in summer is available.
We have enough vaccine. "
However, in the future there will be compulsory testing without exceptions for everyone who comes from areas with new, worrying virus variants. Then proof of the test is always necessary. "Proof of recovery or proof of vaccination are not sufficient in this case," says the final version of the regulation, which was voted in the government.
In general, you have to have the respective 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.
The health authorities should also check 20 percent of the digital entry registrations, he told the magazine "Der Spiegel".
An overview of other specific rules for entry:
Tests and costs
In order to obtain proof of test abroad, rapid tests by specialist staff or PCR laboratory tests are possible - to be paid for out of pocket.
That could well be double-digit amounts per capita.
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.
risk areas
In future, instead of three, there will only be two categories for global regions with a higher risk: high-risk areas and virus variant areas.
Regions with a particularly high number of cases are considered high-risk areas.
One indication: a seven-day incidence of "significantly more than 100".
However, other factors such as test rates and clinical cases should also be considered.
The level of the "simple" risk area with more than 50 reported new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days is no longer applicable.
Up to now there was also the middle level of the “high incidence areas” with a seven-day incidence of over 200.
quarantine
For high-risk areas, it is planned that people who have not been vaccinated and 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.
special cases
The ordinance provides for special regulations for cross-border commuters and short trips in cross-border traffic with a stay of less than 24 hours.
The obligation to provide evidence should only apply to them if one re-enters from risk areas.
For those who have not been vaccinated and those who have not recovered, a test certificate should only be required twice a week, not for each entry.
If you only travel through a high-risk or virus variant area without a stopover, you do not have to be in quarantine when entering Germany.
registration
Vacationers from risk areas must still register with the official digital entry portal.
Test, vaccination or recovery records can also be uploaded there as soon as you have them.
The fact that you have to be tested for everything related to traveling is not entirely new to many.
A negative test is also often required for holiday homes in Germany.
Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said on Thursday evening in the ARD that many were already being tested on vacation, for example because it was necessary for certain activities.
"We have to avoid situations like last year happening again in autumn - vaccination helps us here, but also testing."
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Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn: "Vaccinated people save themselves the testing and in principle do not have to be in quarantine."
© Wolfgang Kumm / dpa
Corona infections, which probably happened while traveling, are playing an increasing role in the infection process in Germany, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands were most frequently named as the likely infection countries in the weeks considered from June 28 to July 25, followed by Croatia and Greece. The majority of corona transmissions continue to take place domestically - we are talking about at least 81 percent. dpa
