Germany Makes COVID Test Compulsory On All Flight Arrivals

Despite 2021 being the new year where the world has already received a vaccine to combat the COVID 19 scare, things, as it turns out, are bleak in Germany. As much of the world continues to fight steadily against the pandemic, stuttering on some occasions to walk toward normality, countries like France and Germany continue to struggle with the lockdown.

In 2020, when the world was first stung by the ghastly Coronavirus, Germany realized the perils of the situation finishing what was clearly a treacherous year with no fewer than 75,000 deaths.

Although much was said about the forthcoming healthcare system, it was the inability to tackle the second wave of the virus that rendered a blow to the country described as the ‘strongman of Europe.’

And now, it can be said that in a bid to exercise more caution to the testing times, Germany has taken a tough stance. Kindly be informed that anyone planning to enter Germany will have to necessarily carry the results of a COVID 19 test. It must be noted in no uncertain terms that the Western European nation will require everyone entering the country to undergo a COVID 19 test starting the upcoming Sunday, i.e., March 28.

But a question must be asked: is this step a sort of departure from what was perhaps a more conservative approach to tackle the pandemic thus far?

Until now, only travelers planning to visit Germany from ‘high-risk’ destinations were required to undergo a COVID 19 test. And needless to say, one had to submit a negative Coronavirus test report.

That being said, let’s try to understand what new rules have been put into place by the German Health Ministry in accordance with the latest mandatory requirement:

1. Regardless of the level of Coronavirus risk in one’s country of origin, travelers to Germany will be required to undertake a COVID 19 test and carry a negative report.

2. All airlines have been instructed to absorb only those travelers that are carrying a negative COVID 19 test report (a proof, in such cases, is a must).

3. All travelers have to pay for the said test themselves. PCR Tests as well as approved rapid tests are accepted.

4. However, the airline crew stand exempted from the above.

5. Anyone found positive, shall be required to quarantine but according to the local rules and at one’s own cost.

6. The above testing requirements shall continue unchanged until mid-May, 2021.

The above being told, it can be said for certain that Germany is definitely acting tough to control the current situation in its bid to return to normalcy. Facets such as travel and leisure are at best, non-existent.

Moreover, here’s what Deutsche Welle (DW.com) had to report on the ongoing circumstances in the Angela Merkel-land:

Talks were regional leaders had been held on Monday, with the view to a tighter shutdown between April 1 and April 5.

But Chancellor Angela Merkel made a rare U-turn after criticism from business leaders and scientists.

Most shops would have closed, while Germans were told they must stay at home.

But Merkel reversed course when party officials from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said the blueprint was unenforceable.