German residents and nationals will be allowed to continue their journey from Germany.
They must undergo a negative test, and be quarantined for two weeks regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.
These measures went into effect Sunday night. Similar curbs have been implemented in France, as coronavirus cases surged in Britain.
Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI), a federal health agency, announced the new rules because it considered the UK to be a virus variant area or concern. This is the highest Covid risk level.
Danemark, France, Norway, and Lebanon were also added to Germany’s High Risk List. Travel from these countries will be restricted.
RKI made the decision on Saturday after the UK reported 90 418 new Covid cases. This was following days of record-breaking highs. A further 82 886 cases were reported on Sunday.
Map of Covid: Where are the highest cases?
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What are France’s new rules regarding UK travelers?
Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor, declared a “major event” in the capital due to a sharp rise in cases. On Saturday, 26418 cases were reported, the highest total since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Experts warn that hospital admissions in England could rise to 3,000 per day if there are no restrictions.
While the number in Germany of coronavirus cases is lower than the UK (50,968 cases were reported Friday), the number of deaths due to a positive Covid test continues to rise. Friday saw 437 deaths in Germany.
Karl Lauterbach, the German health minister, said that he expects the Omicron variant of the pandemic to trigger a “massive fifth-wave” of the pandemic.
He stated that Germany must prepare for a challenge like this and that the more we can push back, the better.
Prof Lauterbach spoke on Sunday on broadcaster ARD, saying that there would not be a lockdown prior to Christmas. We will have a fifth wave because we have already crossed a critical amount of Omicron infections.
The federal government’s corona-expert council – a group of 19 members – warned that there was a growing threat to Germany’s critical infrastructure. It said hospitals, basic utilities and health services could all be affected if no further action is taken.
Germany currently has a number of restrictions. Most of these are for unvaccinated persons who are prohibited from public places. Around 70% of Germany’s population are now fully vaccinated.
France is also concerned about Omicron spreading to the UK, and the authorities in Britain banned UK tourists travelling between the two countries Saturday.
The new rules require UK citizens to have a “compelling motive” to travel to France. This includes trips for business or tourism.
French nationals, hauliers and transport workers are exempt.
The rush of tourists who traveled to France to escape the ban on UK tourists on Friday caused a ripple effect on freight traffic and led to long lines of lorries.
Long tailbacks were observed on the M20 motorway, Kent bound for Dover, and at the Channel Tunnel entrance on Saturday.
To avoid new rules, many people brought forward their Christmas travel plans to take advantage of the new rules.
