To date, over 127,000 people worldwide have been infected with the corona virus. Many countries are therefore tightening their entry requirements – from Friday you will no longer be able to travel to the USA. German travelers need to know that now.
USA imposes entry ban for Europe
US President Donald Trump (73) has issued a ban on entering the United States for anyone who has been in the Schengen area in the 14 days before their planned trip there. This includes a large part of Europe and it also affects German vacationers. The decree comes into force on March 13 and is initially valid for 30 days. India also uses this drastic means and even extends it to the whole world. Until April 15, all tourist visas are invalid due to the corona virus.
In these countries, Germans are prohibited from entering the country
Germans should not plan a trip to the following countries in the near future, because they are simply not allowed to enter. This applies to: Jordan, El Salvador, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica and Grenada. There are also exacerbations in other countries and cities: In Nepal, German travelers must submit a negative Covid 19 test, in Thailand Germans are comprehensively checked and have to keep a self-report on their state of health, which is to be monitored via the app.
An express travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office continues to apply to the Central Asian province of Hubei. Anyone planning a trip to China anyway has to go through a 14-day quarantine period. According to the Federal Foreign Office, this can be done at home or in a hotel and may vary depending on the local authority. In addition, neighboring countries, including Russia, have temporarily closed the border crossings. Airlines, including Lufthansa, canceled their flights to China weeks ago.
Hygiene controls on the border with the Czech Republic and Poland
A week ago, Israel's head of state Benjamin Netanyahu (70) issued a ban on entry for all Germans – unless they can show a domestic quarantine in the country for 14 days. This explicitly does not include hotels. This provision has now been tightened again, according to a statement by the Ministry of Health: "Tourists who are in Israel will be given time to leave in an orderly manner in the next few days". Even Malta, Malawi, Uganda, Chad, North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina only allow Germans to enter if they go directly to quarantine for 14 days.
Both countries are introducing hygiene controls at the German borders with the Czech Republic and Poland. In Poland, the first step is to concentrate on buses, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (51) said. The measure is then planned for international long-distance trains and ports. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek (41) said that border crossings beyond the official border crossings are now prohibited.
Situation in Italy continues to deteriorate
Italy is the most severely affected by the corona virus in the EU so far. So far, over 12,000 people have contracted the lung disease, and more than 800 have already died. Italy itself has already been declared a restricted area for its citizens. These are no longer allowed to move freely in their own country, bars, restaurants and almost all shops have been closed. Only supermarkets and pharmacies are still open. For Germans who are currently there, the exit is still possible. The Federal Foreign Office advises Germans against unnecessary trips to Italy.
Rules for returnees still apply
If you are coming back from your holiday soon, you have to be prepared for longer waiting times when entering Germany. According to the Federal Foreign Office, travelers from risk areas such as China, Iran, northern Italy, Japan and South Korea are required to fill out a so-called exit card when they return. Information on personal availability for the next 30 days after arrival and additional self-disclosure are required (only on flights / ship trips from China, Hong Kong and Macau to Germany). Anyone arriving by train or bus is asked to voluntarily provide their details.
The Federal Foreign Office advises that you contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting in Germany before you travel.