Germany has largely been applauded for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic compared with other European countries, thanks to its rapid response and robust testing.
However, infection rates have been rising in the country, forcing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to reinstate a four-week lockdown starting from 2 November and prompting speculation that the nation could be removed from the UK’s shrinking quarantine exemption list.
Will Germany be the next casualty of the UK’s exemption list? Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s the current Covid-19 situation in Germany?
Germany recorded 139,790 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the 14 days leading up to 29 October, according to the European Centre for Prevention Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
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Elsewhere, figures from the PC agency show Germany has recorded an average of 107.2 cases per 100,000 people over a seven day period as of 29 October – this is is above the benchmark of 20 cases per 100,000 that the UK Government has been using to inform quarantine rules
Other factors have also been taken into account such as testing capacity, the number of deaths, and how the virus has spread.
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Earlier this month, Paul Charles, CEO of the travel consultancy, The PC Agency, noted on Twitter that the country had “gone red” for the first time since April.
Weds update: #Germany goes red for the first time with its highest case numbers since April. #Sweden#Italy and mainland #Greece will only keep an air corridor open if their testing positivity is low – numbers out tomorrow – but unlikely. #Cyprus goes amber. #UK above #France. pic.twitter.com/ROzL1kQ6he
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a four-week national lockdown starting from 2 November, warning that “winter will be hard”.
While the German lockdown will leave schools and some businesses open, it severely restrict social life by closing bars, restaurants, cinemas. Hotels will also be closed to tourists.
Indoor gatherings will be banned for more than 10 people and between more than two households.
“We are in a dramatic situation at the start of the cold season. It affects us all, without exception,” Merkel told the Bundestag lower house of parliament, adding new restrictions to reduce social contact were “necessary and proportionate”.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps usually posts an announcement on new additions or removals from the exemption list around 5pm on a Thursday, so it’s expected that any changes will be announced later today.
On 29 October, he announced Liechtenstein was being removed from the travel corridor list.
