Germany Bars Visitors from UK Over Covid Variants of Concern

Britons will be barred from entering Germany from Sunday onwards after the country’s Public Health Institute designated the UK as a virus variant area of concern.

As of midnight on 23 May, people travelling to Germany from Great Britain and Northern Ireland may only enter the country if they are a German citizen or resident.

Spouses and children under 18 of a German citizen or resident can also enter, as long as the household are travelling together.

Those with an urgent humanitarian reason such as an immediate family bereavement are also able to enter. However, anyone entering the country from the UK must quarantine for two weeks on arrival, even if they test negative for the coronavirus.

People who are only transferring from one flight to another will still be allowed in but they must remain in the airport transit area.

The move comes after Spain lifted travel restrictions on British visitors, with the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, saying Spain would be “delighted, extremely delighted” to receive British tourists again.

Spain is lifting its restrictions on travellers from the UK beginning on Monday.

Germany and Spain are both on the government’s amber list, meaning travellers must quarantine at home for 10 days and take a pre-departure test and two post-arrival tests.

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