This is when you'll be able to travel to Germany as UK lockdown restrictions extended

The latest Germany travel advice explained (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)The latest Germany travel advice explained (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
The latest Germany travel advice explained (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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With the virus continuing to spread around the world, the Foreign & Commonwealth office has issued travel advice for several countries.

Here’s the latest travel advice for Germany amid the outbreak.

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Can I travel to Germany?

Given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the FCO advises British nationals against “all but essential travel”.

Germany has intensified its border controls at airports and at its land borders as well - unless those trying to cross the border are residents in Germany, or can provide a reasonable explanation for travelling to Germany, they will be refused entry.

On 16 March, Germany introduced temporary border checks on its land borders with France, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark - those without good reason will not be permitted entry.

All travellers arriving in Germany are instructed to remain in quarantine for 14 days.

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When will I be able to travel to Germany?

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he would certainly not be booking a summer holiday at present.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Shapps said that "clearly people will want to see what the trajectory of this disease is in the next few weeks".

He added: "I won't be booking a summer holiday at this point, let's put it that way."

The FCO has advised against all travel abroad indefinitely, and this advice remains in place.

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It was announced on Thursday 16 April that the UK lockdown has also been extended by a further three weeks, as Dominic Raab urged members of the public to be patient.

Coronavirus in Germany

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) states that they are “witnessing a substantial increase in the number of infections in Germany”.

All 16 of the federal states in Germany have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with the highest number of cases occuring in Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Saarland and Hamburg.

The Robert Koch Insitiute said: “Most cases (68%) are between 15 and 59 years old; men (48%) and women (52%) are almost equally affected.”

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The RKI added: “86% of deaths, but only 18% in all cases, occurred in persons aged 70 years or older.”

“As a result, the authorities have imposed drastic restrictions on everyday life, in a move to slow down any further spread of the virus,” the FMH had said.

As the authorities monitor the effectiveness of these restrictions, some of the lockdown rules could begin to relax.

A partial reopening of schools was announced for 4 May and hairdressers could see their doors reopen as long as they follow specific health precautions – this also applies to smaller shops, like bookshops, bike stores and car dealerships, from 11 May.

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“Our networks of centres of expertise and special clinics is unmatched by international standards,” the FMH stated. “We have a very good disease warning and notification system, as well as excellent pandemic preparedness plans.”

Coronavirus: The Facts

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus and is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS states that you should not leave the home if you have either:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

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• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

What should I do if I feel unwell?

Don’t go to your GP but instead look online at the coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and what to do next. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

What precautions can be taken?

Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly. The NHS also advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.

When can I go outside?

The Government has put the UK into lockdown and instructed everyone to stay at home. You should only leave your home for very limited purposes:

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• shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

• one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

• any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

• travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

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However, these reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

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