Corona test requirement: Returnees from these countries must be tested

As of next week, the Corona test obligation for returnees from high-risk areas should apply. But which countries are on the list of the RKI?

Corona tests are now becoming mandatory for vacationers returning to Germany from high-risk areas. That announced on Monday the Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (40, CDU). The corresponding regulation is to come into force in the coming week and then obliges all returnees from the so-called formal risk areas identified by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) to quarantine and undergo a test immediately after their return.

If the result is negative, the quarantine is then lifted, it is said. So far, it is planned that these tests will be carried out free of charge. But which countries are on this ominous list? And which of these are potential vacation destinations for German tourists? The RKI identifies more than 150 countries on its website, which are currently classified as risk areas. (As of July 28)

These naturally include numerous exotic species such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Rwanda and Chad, which only a few Germans can consider as holiday destinations. But if you take a closer look, there are some countries that Germans like to head for. Even in the immediate vicinity there is a problem country: The only EU country on this list is currently only Luxembourg.

Popular Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Morocco and Egypt are also listed there. Destinations like Russia or the USA, which are just as popular, cannot currently be visited by tourists due to their entry requirements, which is why no holidaymaker could get lost there anyway.

Many long-haul destinations are affected

In addition, however, there are some popular long-haul destinations that could be entered, but which the RKI expressly warns of. These include, for example, Jamaica, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, India, Cuba or the Maldives.

The urgent call therefore applies to all travelers: Find out about the existing travel warnings on the RKI website. After returning from these areas, you must have yourself tested immediately after the entry into force of the regulation.

The Federal Foreign Office does not recommend traveling to Barcelona

A distinction must be made between these formal travel warnings and so-called travel notices, which, however, are also issued by official institutions. The Federal Foreign Office recently announced that travel to the Spanish tourist regions on the Costa Brava and to Barcelona should be avoided. However, mandatory corona tests or mandatory quarantine are not ordered here. In the broadest sense, it is therefore a mere recommendation not to visit these areas.

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