The Federal Government of Germany has announced that the nationwide lockdown will be extended until 31 January 2021 and that further restrictions on activities will be implemented in view of the increasing rates of COVID-19 infections.*
Effective Monday, 11 January 2021, and until 31 January 2021, the following restrictions will take effect:
- Hotspot travel ban (new regulation): residents of areas deemed coronavirus hotspots will be restricted from traveling more than 15 kilometers from their area without a valid reason. Day trips are not allowed.
- Schools and daycare centers remain closed (already existing). Parents will be given extra time to care for their children (new).
- Private gathering is now limited to members of one’s household and with only a maximum of one other person not living in that household. (Expanded – previously, five people from two households were allowed to get-together).
- Travelers arriving in Germany and who came from risk areas are required to follow the “two-test strategy” – new arrivals from high risk areas must undergo a COVID test upon arrival in the country, or 48 hours prior to arrival, then undergo a 10-day quarantine. However, the quarantine can be ended by presenting a negative COVID test taken on the fifth day of arrival, at the earliest. (new)
The existing restrictions on shops, service businesses, and restaurants as well as those covering religious services will continue until 31 January 2021.
Both the federal and state governments are urgently appealing to all citizens to avoid all non-essential travel inside and outside of Germany;
Everyone is enjoined to observe these restrictions along with other on-going public health measures.
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REMINDER TO ALL CLIENTS WITH CONFIRMED CONSULAR SERVICES APPOINTMENTS The Embassy urges all clients with confirmed appointments to immediately contact the Consular Section via appointment.phembassyberlin@gmail.com if they are affected by the new travel restrictions so that their appointments could be cancelled and re-scheduled. Clients not affected by travel restrictions are likewise urged to contact the Consular Section through the same email address above as they may wish to consider deferring their appointments for safety considerations or to alert the Embassy if they are in very urgent need of consular services. |
Your kind understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
6 January 2021, Berlin
*Source: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/mpk-beschluss-corona-1834364
