Dr Ralf Hess, PhD, biologist and member of the Entourage Task Force, on travel and safety advice regarding the coronavirus.
After the Federal Republic of Germany decided on massive virus containment measures on 13 March 2020 and the WHO declared Europe as the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous countries worldwide have imposed travel restrictions from Friday 13 March 2020 to Monday 16 March 2020, resulting in entry bans and/or tightened border controls and/or increased entry controls, health checks with temperature measurements, in individual cases also barriers or forced quarantine after entry and other measures.
Below are excerpts from the country advisories of selected countries, Turkey, the USA, Hong Kong and our neighbouring countries. Source: Travel and safety advice from the German Foreign Office
Turkey, as of 16.03.2020.
The Turkish authorities have extended the entry ban for several states affected by COVID-19 to include entrants from Germany, valid from Saturday 14 March 2020 at 8:00 am local time, initially until 17 April 2020.
German citizens may continue to leave the country. Aircraft may also continue to land to pick up passengers from Turkey to Germany....
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USA, as at: 16.03.2020.
As of 11:59 p.m. EDT (Washington DC local time) on Friday 13 March 2020, an entry ban will apply to persons who have been in Germany or another Schengen country within a 14-day period prior to entering the US...
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HongKong, as at 16.03.2020
From Saturday 14 March at 00:00 OZ, a 14-day compulsory quarantine will be imposed on all persons who have stayed in North Rhine-Westphalia in the 14 days prior to entering Hong Kong, which may also be in private accommodation. According to the current status, there are no exceptions for persons with permanent residence in Hong Kong or holders of Hong Kong passports.
A 14-day mandatory quarantine, which can also be in private accommodation, will be imposed on all persons entering Hong Kong from a Schengen State from 00:00 hours OZ on Tuesday 17 March, which can also be in home quarantine and must otherwise be spent in a government quarantine centre....
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Denmark, as of 16.03.2020.
Denmark will close its borders and impose an ENTRY STOP as of 12 noon on Saturday 14 March 2020. This applies to all entries into Denmark for which there are no important reasons. These measures will apply until 13 April 2020. According to the Danish authorities, it will still be possible to leave the country.
Transit, e.g. coming from Norway or Sweden, will still be possible, according to the Danish authorities. Transfer traffic at airports will also continue to be permitted, as long as the airport building is not left...
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Poland, as of 16.03.2020.
Poland has imposed drastic restrictions on passenger traffic to contain the Corona infections. Air, rail and sea connections for passenger traffic to Poland will be interrupted. From Sunday, 15 March, 00.00 hrs, entry to Poland at border crossings with Germany, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia will only be possible for foreigners in exceptional cases. In addition, border controls will be reintroduced for a limited period until 24 March and numerous crossings from Germany to Poland will be closed completely...
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Czech Republic, as of 16.03.2020.
The Czech Republic declared a state of emergency on 12 March due to the spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 for an initial period of 30 days, with restrictions on public life such as the closure of all public facilities, shops, except, among others, for grocery shops, drugstores, pharmacies, petrol stations, electrical shops, restaurants and catering establishments, as well as the prohibition of events with more than 30 people. Public transport will be restricted.
From 14 March 2020 0:00 a.m., a general ban on entry from particularly affected areas such as Germany will apply, and from 16 March 2020 0:00 a.m., a general ban on entry from all countries ...
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Austria, as of:16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 also leads to increased entry controls in Austria, health checks with temperature measurements, and in individual cases also entry bans.
Entry from Italy is now only permitted if a medical health certificate can be presented, transit from Italy is now only possible if there is no stopover in Austria The Italian-Austrian border remains open for the movement of persons and goods for this purpose. However, train traffic from Italy to Austria was temporarily suspended on the afternoon of 10 March 2020....
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Italy, as at: 16.03.2020.
Due to the current wave of illness with COVID-19, an emergency decree is in place. Italian airports are closed for direct flights to and from China until further notice. Health checks with temperature measurements are being carried out at airports and ports, but also in intercity traffic in regions where cases of infection have been detected. Airports, ports and railway stations are still in operation, but train connections to Austria have been suspended; transit through Austria by car and bus is currently only possible without a stopover.
Throughout Italy, non-essential movement is to be avoided; restrictions on freedom of movement and controls are to be expected throughout the country.
Schools, kindergartens and universities throughout Italy will initially remain closed until 3 April 2020. Congresses and meetings are suspended, as are cultural and social events in public or private venues.
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Switzerland, as of 16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 has led to increased entry controls in many places, health checks with temperature measurements, and in some cases even entry bans.
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France, as at: 16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 is also leading to increased entry controls, health checks with temperature measurements, and in individual cases also cordons in France. The Grand-Est region (Alsace, Lorraine and Champagne-Ardennes) is particularly affected.
The French government has also made special classifications for some departments, currently Aude, Calvados, Haute-Savoie, Haut-Rhin, Oise, Morbihan, Corse du Sud, Hérault. In addition, movements in the country are to be limited to what is necessary. French schools and universities are closed, school and class trips to and from France are currently no longer taking place....
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Netherlands, as at: 16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 has led to increased entry controls in many places, health checks with temperature measurements, and in some cases even entry bans.
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Belgium, as at: 16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 has led to increased entry controls in many places, health checks with temperature measurements, and in some cases even entry bans.
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Great Britain and Northern Ireland/United Kingdom, as of 16.03.2020.
The spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19 has led to increased entry controls in many places, health checks with temperature measurements, and in some cases even entry bans.
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