Germany Lifts Travel Ban On Travelers From India And Four Other Countries

NEW DELHI — Germany will lift the ban on most travelers from five countries hit by the ‘Delta’ variant of Covid-19, including India and the United Kingdom, from June 7, said Walter J Lindner, German ambassador to India.

“Promised to work hard on easing travel restrictions for travelers from IND [India] and update you immediately,” tweeted Linder.

“And voila: from tomorrow on, GER (Germany) is removing entry ban and easing travel rules for five countries where the Delta variant is widespread, including IND! Details soon on the website.”

The change will mean simpler requirements for people visiting those countries. People who have had either both vaccination doses or who can demonstrate they have recovered from Covid will not need to isolate on their return or arrival.

“India, Nepal, Russia, Portugal, and the UK, currently listed as so-called virus variant countries, would be reclassified from July 7 as high-incidence areas,” said Robert Koch Institute, the German public health agency.

India was classified as a virus variant area at the end of April, followed by Nepal and the UK in May. The EU country Portugal, as well as Russia, were added to the list on June 29.

Germany banned entry for travelers from India due to an upsurge in the number of coronavirus cases.

As per the World Health Organization, there have been 3,731,124 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 91,031 deaths in Germany. As of June 26, 2021, a total of 72,172,636 vaccine doses have been administered.

The United Arab Emirates, on July 2, banned its citizens from traveling to several countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

This came after the UAE extended the travel ban on passengers from 14 countries until July 21 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Foreign Ministry and the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority stated that, with the start of the travel season, citizens need to comply with all precautionary and preventive measures related to Covid-19.

“Flights from 14 countries, includes Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and South Africa, will remain suspended until 23:59 hours of July 21,” said UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority in a notice.

However, cargo flights and business and charter flights would be exempted from the restrictions.

The UAE authorities also instructed UAE citizens to adhere to self-isolation should they get Covid-19 positive during their travel and ensure compliance with all instructions, requirements, and health protocols applied by their host countries.

Meanwhile, infected Emiratis will be allowed to return to the UAE after getting the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in the host country and the competent health departments in the UAE.

(With inputs from ANI)

(Edited by Amrita Das and Saptak Datta)