Updated Regulations from the German Government / NRW Government (valid from Feb. 1, 2021):
During the pandemic, regulations are imposed by different sources. The German government imposes the overall rules but the governments of the individual Länder (states in Germany) as well as some cities have the freedom to impose regulations with regard to the particular situation of the area. Here we try to summarize the information relevant for our guests as best as possible and to keep it up to date. We assume no liability for this information and refer to the government websites for the official regulations:
NRW website (unfortunately only in German), Federal Foreign Office's website, city of Bonn's website.
MEDICAL MASK OBLIGATION:
The new regulation states that it is obligatory to wear a medical mask in public transportation, stores and doctor's offices. Fabric masks are no longer adequate in these locations. Medical masks in the sense of this regulation are so-called surgical masks, masks of the standard FFP2 or masks comparable to these (KN95/N95).
TRAVEL (regulations from the North Rhine-Westphalia government):
In Germany, the individual Länder are responsible for quarantine regulations (in our case NRW). The Länder have put in place their own regulations on the basis of a specimen regulation.
Travelers who have visited a virus variant area or risk area in the last ten days before entering Germany must register at www.einreiseanmeldung.de before arriving in Germany and carry proof of registration with them upon entry. This obligation always applies to those entering the country who have previously stayed in virus variant areas. Certain exceptions apply for previous stays in other risk areas and high incidence areas. In particular, those who have only passed through a risk area and have not had a stopover there are exempt.
Entering/returning from a virus variant area:
For countries where virus mutations are widespread (so-called virus variant areas), there is a transport ban. Transport companies, e.g. airlines or railroad companies, are not allowed to transport persons from these countries to Germany. Transportation is only possible in narrowly defined exceptional cases, in particular for persons with residence and existing right of residence in Germany, persons who are only transferring in a transit area of a commercial airport, and in a few other special cases. German nationals not resident in Germany should not be denied boarding.
In these exceptional cases, immediately after arrival, travelers are required to go into quarantine for 10 days (starting on the day of departure from one of these areas) and have to report to the Health Department if they show any symptoms. Furthermore they have to submit a negative test result on entry. After five days of quarantine they have to get tested again and if this result is negative, the quarantine can be terminated. Otherwise the quarantine obligation continues and the competent authorities may decide on the individual ordering of a further test on a case-by-case basis.
Entering/returning from other risk areas:
Travelers have to quarantine for 10 days. The quarantine can be avoided by getting tested for Covid-19 either 48 hours before or within 24 hours after entering Germany and getting a negative test result. A quick test, "Corona-Schnelltest", is sufficient. You can get tested at airports, test centers, pharmacies or doctors at your own expense.
CONTACTS
- contacts should be minimized to the absolute minimum
- it is allowed to meet with only one other person from a different household (This also applies for participation in livestreams in the same room!)
- private or public parties are unacceptable