Germany limits private gathering amid Omicron escalation

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Germany will limit private gatherings to 10 people and close nightclubs ahead of the new year as the country faces a “massive fifth wave” of COVID-19 due to Omicron.

The large events such as football matches will be held without an audience as part of new restrictions that will come into effect on 28 December.

The travel restrictions already in place target mainly the unvaccinated, with proof of vaccination or recovery required to enter nonessential stores among other things. As of Sunday, UK tourists are banned from Germany.

The country’s national disease control centre, the Robert Koch Institute, added the UK to its list of “virus variant areas”. This means anyone travelling from the UK to Germany must present a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours and enter a mandatory quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status.

The UK joins eight African countries, including South Africa, on Germany’s list of “virus variant areas”.

Germany also considers France and Denmark “high-risk areas,” meaning those who are not vaccinated or recovered from the virus must quarantine for 10 days after entering the country. Dozens of countries, including nearly all of Germany’s direct neighbours, have now been added to this category.

Germany’s parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a vaccine mandate for hospital and care workers as the country tries to stem a wave of coronavirus infections.

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