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Starting Saturday, Germany will make it harder for Swiss citizens from ten cantons to enter the country, but Baden-Württemberg still wants to let shopping tourists in.
In the next three weeks, people in the ten Swiss cantons at risk will only be able to shop in Germany with a negative Corona test. As of November 8, this should be possible again without restrictions.
Photo: Gian Ehrenzeller (Keystone)
After Geneva and Vaud, Germany had eight more Swiss cantons on Thursday night. put on the risk list: Zurich, Zug, Schwyz, Nidwalden, Uri, Freiburg, Jura, Neuchâtel. For people from these cantons, entry into Germany from Saturday is hampered by a quarantine obligation, but there are also exceptions for cross-border travelers, family visits and business trips. The risk rating for Vacation travelers from both countries and for shopping tourists.
The restriction for the latter could only last for a short time. Because on November 8th one happens in Germany new sample of quarantine regulation in force, which will standardize the rules in all federal states. People staying in the border area for less than 24 hours are exempt from the quarantine obligation and it is not necessary to present a negative test.
Chart for the German government quarantine regulation model. The first point describes the exception that should also apply to shopping tourists.
Graphic: Bundesregierung.de
So if you only go shopping in Waldshut, Singen or Konstanz for a few hours, you can do it again from November 8 without restrictions. Individual federal states may, at their own discretion, also issue regulations that differ from the model quarantine ordinance. In Baden-Württemberg, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate there are no compulsory breaks for shopping tourists; there an emergency ordinance applies. This so-called 24-hour rule allows people from border regions to enter the country without proof of corona and quarantine.
In any case, the affected Swiss cantons will have to adapt to changing rules when traveling to Germany and when dealing with German tourists in the coming weeks. This applies as of Saturday or with the new regulation model as of November 8:
General rules
Starting Saturday, October 17: After crossing the border, travelers who have been in a risk area in the last 14 days must be directly quarantined for 14 days. Quarantine can be waived in most federal states by submitting a negative PCR test on entry that was performed no more than 48 hours in advance. The Swiss tests are recognized in Germany. If only one test is performed after entry, this may shorten the quarantine. Depending on the state, the tests must be repeated after 5 or 7 days.
Germany warns of “unnecessary tourist trips” to the affected Swiss cantons. The main winter sports destinations of Graubünden, Valais and Bern are not currently considered risk areas.
As of November 8: The quarantine then only lasts 10 days. But it can only be shortened after 5 days by a negative test. The German government decided on this change on Wednesday. How individual federal states will implement them in detail is still open.
Shopping tourists
From Saturday: Because the borders are open, shopping tourists can enter Germany. Bavaria does not require quarantine for shopping tourists if they can present a valid PCR test (no longer than 48 hours). Baden-Württemberg, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate have adopted a 24-hour rule. This emergency ordinance allows people from border areas to enter the country without a corona test, even if they come from a region that Germany classifies as a risk area.
As of November 8: The new model ordinance provides exceptions for people who “enter federal territory for up to 24 hours.” In accordance with the will of the German federal government, shopping tourism will again be allowed throughout Germany. However, the federal states retain sovereignty and may also impose other rules. Information from Baden-Württemberg currently indicates that the relaxation will be implemented there before the model regulation enters into force.
Border workers
From Saturday: According to the German government: anyone who crosses the border to work has free rides. Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, the two federal states that are most closely linked to Switzerland, also state this in their ordinances on quarantine rules. The exceptions also apply to schoolchildren, students, and service providers.
For certain groups of people, not only daily commutes are allowed, but also a stay of up to 72 hours: for employees of the health system (with certificate), people than for cross-border people related to work, goods or goods by road, rail , ship or air transport, or of high positions of the diplomatic and consular services, of popular assemblies and governments.
But Germany also has stricter regulations: for example, the Bavarian district of Cham introduced mandatory tests for cross-border travelers from the Czech Republic over the weekend. The Czech Republic has been severely affected by Corona for a few weeks.
Visiting family members
From Saturday: In Bavaria, there are several quarantine exemptions for people entering from risk areas, for example for urgent medical treatment, caring for animals or visiting relatives or partners.
In principle, Baden-Württemberg knows the same exceptions. In the explanations of its ordinance, the state explicitly states that the simple act of visiting relatives does not constitute an exception to the quarantine obligation. There must be valid reasons for this, such as joint custody of the children or visiting with a partner.
As of November 8: The new sample quarantine ordinance stipulates that first-degree relatives can always be visited without the obligation to quarantine themselves. It is also not necessary to submit a negative test.
Transit
The fastest possible transit is still allowed, the new regulation does not change anything. Thus, tourists can continue to travel to the mountains through “risk cantons” without being forced to self-quarantine.
