THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Germany announced on 11 June that it had provisionally lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions to the country.
Travel from non-EU countries to Germany is now permitted for all purposes (including tourism and visits) and no proof of vaccination, recovery or testing is required any longer.
“Visas as required for entry into Germany may be applied for with the German Consulate for all travel purposes,” Germany’s Foreign Office said.
“However, persons residing in the People’s Republic of China still need an important reason to enter Germany (due to reciprocity) – this does not apply to German citizens residing in the People’s Republic of China,” the Foreign Office said.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if a country is classified as a ‘virus variant’ area, strict rules can come into place. They include non-German residents and citizens being barred from entry to Germany, and a 14-day quarantine for those who are allowed to enter Germany, regardless of vaccination/recovery status.
The German government classifies countries with widespread occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern as so-called ‘areas of variant of concern’. The list of areas of variant of concern is available on the website of the Robert Koch-Institute. There are currently no countries that are designated as virus variant areas.
In Germany there is still a nationwide requirement to wear an FFP2 or equivalent mask on public transport, including planes, as well as in doctor’s clinics, hospitals and care homes.
Austin Ohaegbu
