Germany Bans UK Travellers

Concerns about the spread of a variant of coronavirus first detected in India caused the German authorities to classify the United Kingdom as a high-risk area of variant concern.

The decision has been announced by the German Missions in the United Kingdom, which through a notice, announced that from 23 May, an entry ban would be imposed on arrivals and transport from the UK.

The German Embassy in the UK said the new classification is due to “local outbreaks occurring again, including cases of more infectious variants such as the Indian variant at present.”

Ambassador Andreas Michaelis tweeted the following:

Had a long discussion until late last night until this decision was taken. We looked at all available data and details. We did not take this step lightly. We had to move into this direction given the rules we have set ourselves in Germany. Will constantly check applicability. https://t.co/LssHexoOpZ
— Andreas Michaelis (@GermanAmbUK) May 22, 2021

The Isle of Man, as well as all Channel Islands and all British overseas territories, are included in the decision.

Temporary Ban on UK Travellers

The temporary ban states that travellers from the UK via plane, bus or train cannot enter Germany unless they are a German citizen or resident. Spouses and children under the age of 18 may also enter, as long as they are travelling together with a German citizen or resident.

The change in designation also means that all passengers will now have to be quarantined for 2 weeks upon arrival, even if they are fully vaccinated or tested negative for COVID-19. It is not possible to shorten this quarantine period with a negative test.

Tighter Rules for UK Travellers

EU governments are considering tightening restrictions on UK travellers wanting to visit their countries this summer. This is due to the highly transmissible variant of COVID-19 which is continuing to spread in the UK.

French ministers are now considering stricter coronavirus restrictions for British visitors when tourism reopens this summer.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister has said Britain will not be put on a red list.

The arrival of the Indian variant and the increase of cases of Indian variant in the UK pose a problem and so we are vigilant about this and in contact with the British authorities. It won't be the red list treatment if we have to do it. It will be an intermediate treatment.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France Foreign Minister

Germany's decision has also created concern about whether the United States can finally create a travel corridor with the United Kingdom. Aviation and travel industries have been calling for quarantine-free travel between the UK and the US.

Recent studies stress that two doses are needed for protection. It has been confirmed that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are highly effective against this variant.

Therefore the UK government is reinforcing the need to get both jabs. Matt Hancock, the UK Health Secretary, warned Britons of the importance of it:

From this new data what we've seen is that, after the second jab, the vaccine is effectively just as powerful as against the old variant.
Matt Hancock, UK Health Secretary

Currently, aside from the UK, Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa are part of Germany’s list of countries with COVID-19 variants.

Arrivals in Germany from non-variant areas who can prove they have been vaccinated against the virus, or who have recently recovered from COVID-19 will be exempt from the requirement of a negative test certificate and entry quarantine.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think UK nationals will be barred from travelling to more countries this summer? Talk to us in the comment section below.

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