Germany is examining plans to ban the majority of incoming travelers from areas where COVID-19 variants are prevalent. The nation is expected to present its new travel ban tomorrow, with waiting for a joint EU decision not an option given the pressing nature of preventing COVID-19 transmission.
Around the world, governments are keen to try and limit the spread of COVID-19. For many, the focus is on stopping the domestic reach of the virus. This has meant that they have wanted to keep imported cases to a minimum. Previously this saw testing and quarantine as the solution. However, full-on travel bans are starting to make a reappearance.
Virus variant travel bans
According to The Local Germany, the German Government is currently planning to implement a full-blown travel ban on countries deemed virus variant areas with few exceptions. Identified by the Robert Koch Institute, there are now five countries on the virus variant list,
- Brazil - Since January 19th
- Ireland - Since January 13th
- Portugal - Since January 27th
- South Africa - Since January 13th
- United Kingdom - Since January 13th
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who earlier this week suggested that international air travel could drop to almost zero, is quoted by the publication as saying,
"At the moment within the government, we are coordinating towards the aim of refusing inbound travel from mutation areas. We are concentrating these travel restrictions on mutation areas, that is at the moment Britain, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil."
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What would this mean for travelers?
What exactly this would mean for travelers is unclear as the rules of such a travel ban are yet to be announced. Germany already has strict entry requirements for most from outside the European Union, which would include Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. As such, entry is currently only open to those resident in the country and with an urgent need to travel.
The local suggested that exemptions would likely apply to German citizens, in addition to freight workers, to allow the continuation of vital cargo flights. According to the publication, Seehofer commented that the country could not wait for a joint EU decision, with the full scheme due to be announced tomorrow.
Impact on German airports and airlines
Initially, such a ban would likely have little effect on german airports and airlines. Traffic is already at incredibly low levels, that banning the few arrivals from these countries currently listed as variant areas will likely have little impact. The impact will begin to be felt as more countries join the list, especially if EU countries, with which travel is currently permitted, begin to rack up.
Do you think Germany should implement a travel ban from regions with a high incidence of COVID-19 variations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!