Germany: The Pandemic Rules We Still Need to Adhere to when We Travel

Two years into the Corona pandemic, we have dropped those masks in some areas. Many restrictions have been lifted. But when we travel within Germany or abroad, for instance during the upcoming Easter vacations, we will still run into strict Corona rules.

Sofia, Bulgaria, April 6th, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) — In most of Germany, shoppers are now allowed to blow their aerosols into each others faces, as if Corona was gone. It isn’t. Unvaccinated persons may enter any restaurant, even without mask. There are no contact restrictions either. If we wanted to, we could throw the wildest parties in our living room, with dozens of guests who would spill red wine on our light carpets and leave ketchup stains on the sofa.

Hens with Masks

Getting out of our places, cities and countries for a little while is a far better idea, now that the world is back to normal, right? Wrong. Behind the next state border, we might have to adhere to all kinds of Corona rules again. Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania are the two German states that declared themselves Corona hotspots. Yes, they did what all federal states should have done. For that reason, access to restaurants is still limited to vaccinated or recovered persons there, and nobody is allowed to enter an ‘Aldi’ supermarket without mask.

Even those of us who intend to bypass those two states will not escape those Corona rules everyone had gotten used to, before they dropped most of them in spite of the record infection numbers. Passenger aircraft are like chicken farms, except all hens still need to wear those masks, no matter how many eggs they lay. Airlines do not have to require vaccination certificates anymore, but it is a good idea top check beforehand, in case they do anyway. They decide who may enter their aircraft and who may not.

Paella and Flamenco

According to Germany’s new Infection Protection Act, Deutsche Bahn is required to make its passengers wear masks. Those who refuse will be fined and can be kicked off the train. In onboard restaurants, even stricter rules, such as access restrictions, may apply. So, this is how we will run into strict Corona rules during our Easter vacation trips. But there is more.

Germans love Spain, and rightly so. It might be the Sangria, the Paella, the Flamenco, the beauty of those cities and beaches down there or the nice language they use. Whatever it is: From the perspective of Spain, Germany is a high risk area (as of April 6th, 2022). This means the Spaniards will check anyone who enters their beautiful country from there. Those who do not have a vaccination certificate, proof that they recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days or at least a fresh and negative Corona test will not be enjoying their Easter vacations there. The same, or similar regulations, apply in other countries as well.

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Bogotá or Pyongyang

Wherever we go, Madrid, Pyongyang, Los Angeles, Sana’a, Delhi, Nairobi or Bogotá, we will have to return to Germany at some point. At least until April 28th, 2022, ‘3G’ rules need to be followed by anyone who enters or reenters the Federal Republic. This means, we still need vaccination certificates, proof of recovery or a negative Corona test, if we are at least 12 years old. No, the worlds is not back to normal, but we may enjoy our Seafood Paella anyway.

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