Coronavirus pandemic: Germany adds Bucharest, more counties to list of risk areas

Germany has added Bucharest and ten other Romanian counties to the list of international risk areas, which covers countries and territories designated as presenting an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The ten counties are Bacău, Brăila, Braşov, Dâmboviţa, Galaţi, Gorj, Ilfov, Prahova, Vaslui and Vrancea.

They have been placed on the list on August 12.

The counties of Argeş, Bihor, Buzău, Neamţ, Ialomiţa, Mehedinţi and Timiş had previously been added to the list.

People arriving in Germany from a risk area need to show a negative Covid-19 test, carried out at most 48 hours before their arrival, or get tested, free of charge, within at most 72 hours of their arrival to the country, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) explained, quoted by News.ro. The test needs to be translated into German or English.

Testing on Germany’s territory can be done at the airport, at the family doctor, or the local health authorities. For this, travelers need to contact the medical line 116 117. Travelers who do not comply with the testing requirements can be fined up to EUR 25,000. Testing is compulsory for travelers arriving from risk areas and recommended for all others entering Germany’s territory.

If the test is carried out in Germany, travelers need to self-isolate until they receive a negative test result. The measure does not apply to those who show a negative Covid-19 test carried out at most 48 hours before arriving in Germany, MAE said.

Furthermore, those entering Germany from a risk area need to fill in a public health passenger locator form, available here.

Transiting Germany is not conditioned by these requirements. While transiting the country, travelers need to avoid any close contact with other people and comply with protective measures such as maintaining the social distance, hygiene, or wearing a mask. Short stops are allowed for the purchase of food or fuel but not for tourist purposes or visits.

Meanwhile, Hubertus Heil, Germany’s Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, postponed his visit to Romania, scheduled for Thursday, August 13, given the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. He will instead have a meeting with his Romanian counterpart Violeta Alexandru via video-conferencing.