Germany to introduce domestic covid measures

Source: Schengen Visa info

German authorities have said that the country will introduce domestic COVID protective measures in October as they are needed for autumn and winter.

The government said that as the weather gets colder, the number of infections will start to increase again. Thus, it has been decided to introduce measures to prevent the spread of the virus during autumn and winter, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The government says that from October 2022, certain areas in the country should introduce mask requirements for air and long-distance public transport.

“In certain areas, specific protective measures should apply nationwide – the mask requirement in air and long-distance public transport or a nationwide mask and test certificate requirement for hospitals and care facilities,” the government stated.

In addition, the government pointed out that the federal states should be able to enact more extensive regulations in order to ensure the functionality of the health system or other critical infrastructure.

It has been explained that the federal states can require citizens as well as travelers from other areas to wear a face mask when using the local public transport or accessing different public indoor spaces, including sports events and restaurants.

Nonetheless, it has been emphasized that everyone who has proof of a negative test, has been vaccinated, or recovered from the virus should be exempt from the mask requirement.

“Anyone who has proof of a test here should be exempt from the mask requirement. Countries should be able to extend this exemption to people who can show they have just been vaccinated or have recovered,” the government added.

Yet, each state has the right to apply its own rules and introduce additional measures if the health system is threatened.

Apart from announcing that new domestic measures will get introduced in October, the government said that Germany would continue to apply relaxed entry rules for incoming travelers.

In one of its most recent press releases, the German government said that all travelers continue to be exempt from the requirement to present a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon their arrival.

“Travelers to Germany still do not need proof that they have been vaccinated, recovered, or tested. The Federal Cabinet has extended a corresponding ordinance by one month until September 30,” the statement of the government reads.

The country is expected to apply relaxed rules as long as the COVID-19 situation does not deteriorate.

Data provided by the World Health Organization show that Germany registered over 229,000 new infection cases in the last seven days. In addition, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows that 74.2 percent of the entire adult population in Germany has already received a first booster shot.