At their regular meeting today, the federal ministers of finance, foreign affairs, health, defence and the interior, known as the “Corona Cabinet”, decided on further measures aimed at breaking the chain of infection in cross-border travel. The measures aim to minimize the risk of new chains of infection arising from travellers returning from abroad and to prevent non-essential travel, similar to the restrictions on leisure activities and travel within Germany.

Since 16 March 2020, it has only been possible for people with valid reasons for entering the country, and certain limited groups of people subject to exceptions, to enter Germany. The exceptions are set out in the European Council Decision of 17 March 2020. EU citizens, citizens of Schengen-associated states and persons who are long-term residents of Germany and their families will still be allowed to return to their place of residence. There are also exceptions for medical staff, commuters, diplomats and other categories of people undertaking necessary journeys that cannot be postponed. Travellers without a valid reason for travel are not permitted to enter Germany.

Travellers entering Germany having spent more than one day abroad are to be required to spend two weeks in quarantine at home. Uniform standards are currently being agreed between the federal states and the Federal Government. The federal states themselves will be responsible for imposing the regulations on the basis of Sections 28 and 31 of the Prevention against Infection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz). Exceptions apply to persons entering or leaving Germany for professional reasons daily (commuters) or for a few days (e.g. business travellers, service technicians), and to persons who, for professional reasons, transport persons or goods, and to persons in transit to the country in which they are permanent residents.

The Federal Police is ensuring compliance with the entry restrictions through border control and increased checks and searches at the borders, and is in close contact with its partner authorities in Germany and abroad.