Germany has this week introduced a new rule requiring all
travellers arriving in the country by air to provide a
negative Covid test no earlier than 48 hours before travel and provide proof of this
to their airline. Previously, a pre-departure test was only required for those
coming from certain countries defined as high risk areas.
Different regulations apply to those arriving by road, rail or
sea where the test can be taken after arrival.
Anyone arriving from a risk area on the government list
must also quarantine on arrival for ten days and take a second test at the earliest five
days after arrival.
The new rules came into force on Monday 30 March after Germany’s Chancellor
Angela Merkel announced an extension to lockdown until at least 18 April in order
to tackle a third Covid wave. The rules will remain in place up to and
including 12 May 2021 but may be extended.
Germany’s business travel association VDR has this week called
on the government to consider business travel’s added value when making
lockdown decisions.