NRW has removed the quarantine obligation for returning travelers. Previously, there was a two-week quarantine for anyone who was in Europe for more than 72 hours.
Starting today, longer stays in other European countries are possible again without travelers having to go through a two-week quarantine. The federal and state governments have agreed to this, according to the NRW state government. This applies to all EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Great Britain. Previously, travelers who spent more than 72 hours in other European countries had to stay home for two weeks due to the crown pandemic.
“Sign of a good neighborhood and more Europe”
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the new regulation has been in force since midnight. NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet spoke of a “sign of good neighborliness and more Europe”. Laschet had already announced Tuesday that he would suspend the quarantine obligation. He described them as unknown and with no health benefits. Yesterday afternoon, he said lifting the quarantine would provide legal clarity, make people’s lives easier, especially in border regions, and send a signal to the economy.
Trials similar to those in Lower Saxony threatened in NRW
At the beginning of the week, the Lower Administrative Court of Lower Saxony already canceled the quarantine obligation after long trips to other European countries. Similar trials now threatened at NRW. Three people from Düsseldorf and Bochum filed a complaint with the Münster Superior Administrative Court. Two of them because they wanted to travel to the Netherlands for a multi-day holiday on Ascension Day without having to quarantine for two weeks afterward. In their cases, the political decision precedes the court ruling.
Source: wdr.de
