Due to the advent of the Omicron version of COVID-19, Germany has placed the United Kingdom to its list of ‘virus variant’ countries, banning immigration from the country.
The new limitations, which are comparable to being labeled a “red list” country, went into effect on December 20, 2021, at 00:00 local time.
Only German nationals and residents are permitted to enter Germany from the United Kingdom. On December 18, 2021, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute published a new risk assessment for the United Kingdom.
Those who are allowed to enter Germany must have a negative COVID-19 test before leaving the country and must stay at home for a 14-day quarantine. The rules are available here.
Even fully vaccinated travelers are subject to the limitations. There is no test-to-release option to stop home quarantine early in nations classified as ‘virus variant’ zones.
The only other countries now designated by Germany as ‘virus variant’ locations are those in Africa, where the Omicron variation was initially discovered.
Germany’s move comes as other governments impose further limitations in response to the Omicron variant’s appearance. France has also made it more difficult for visitors from the United Kingdom to enter the country.
More COVID-19 requirements for arrivals have been implemented in the United Kingdom, including pre-departure tests and isolation until a PCR test within two days of arrival comes back negative.
The latest round of travel restrictions is a setback for the travel industry, which had begun to recover from the pandemic’s effects.
In the United Kingdom, airlines and airports have warned that the variant will reduce demand and have asked for financial aid to get them through the winter. Christmas and New Year bookings can account for up to 30% of total ticket sales, according to UK airlines.
