The list of high risk areas is shrinking: The Robert Koch Institute) announced Friday that another 19 countries and several overseas territories will disappear from its list of high-risk areas, with no new ones added.
Spain, Britain and Ireland will no longer be high-risk areas
Vacationers should be especially pleased with the removal of risk status for popular destinations in Europe. Spain – including the Balearic Islands with the holiday island of Majorca and the Canary Islands with year-round resorts such as Gran Canaria, the United Kingdom and Ireland are no longer high-risk areas as of Monday, and unvaccinated travelers and unvaccinated children no longer have to undergo quarantine when they return home.
Popular destinations such as the US, Tunisia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates will also be removed from the list. Again, only the 3-G rule for entry into Germany will apply in the future, as unvaccinated and unhealed individuals must test negative for coronavirus to enter Germany. Digital entry registration will no longer be required.
Fewer high-risk areas coming soon?
However, the previous approach of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in classifying countries as high-risk areas may soon change.
As before, a seven-day incidence of well over 100 new infections per 100,000 population carries a high probability of a country or region being classified as a high-risk area and a travel warning being issued by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other factors can also be added, such as the rate of spread of the disease, hospitalization rates and positive coronial tests.
This type of classification has resulted in many countries now being considered high-risk areas, where the incidence is much lower than in Germany.
But that may soon change: The federal government and the heads of state agreed Wednesday to “take into account the increased incidence worldwide due to Omicron” and adjust the classification of high-risk areas. Above all, it should make it easier for families to travel. Children under the age of twelve are often not vaccinated and therefore cannot avoid quarantine,” – reads the resolution.
It is currently unclear whether quarantine requirements for returns from high-risk areas will be waived at all in the future or whether the thresholds for classification will be changed.
Regulations for entry into Germany
When entering Germany, the 3G rule generally applies: travelers must carry proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative coronavirus test. Stricter rules apply for entry from high-risk areas and virus variant areas:
Online Registration: All individuals returning from high risk and virus variant areas must complete a digital entry application in advance. Those who have been tested, fully vaccinated and recovered must post their test, vaccination or recovery results.
Quarantine obligation: Anyone who arrives from a high-risk area and is neither vaccinated nor cured must undergo a quarantine of up to ten days in Germany. Starting on the fifth day, it is possible to be released from quarantine upon presentation of a negative coronavirus test result. Children must also be isolated – but children under the age of six do not have to be tested, and the quarantine ends automatically after the fifth day. Anyone entering from an area at risk for the virus must undergo a 14-day quarantine. There are no exceptions for vaccinated persons, convalescents and children.
Duty to test for coronavirus: Anyone arriving from an area with a variant of the virus must present a negative PCR test before boarding a flight, regardless of vaccination status. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, even upon arrival, health authorities at the airport or retreat/quarantine area may order further PCR testing. This rule also applies to vaccinated and treated persons. For entry from a high-risk area, 3G evidence (vaccination, convalescence or coronary test) is sufficient. A rapid antigen test can be up to 24 hours, a PCR test 72 hours. Children under the age of six are exempt from the detection requirement.
source: rnd.de