Germany Adds Greece to List of “High-Risk” Covid Countries

Germany added Greece and three other nations to its “high-risk” list for Covid-19 on Friday, meaning that unvaccinated Germans traveling to these countries must quarantine once again after they return to Germany.

The Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium all took spots on Germany’s list of problematic countries as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the Continent and the world.

The new rules go into effect Sunday, November 21. All those who have not been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus or do not have proof that they have recovered from it will have to quarantine once they get back to Germany for a total of ten days as of Sunday.

However, these travelers can emerge from quarantine after having a negative test for the virus after five days.

These same restrictions will not be in force against those traveling to the Dutch islands of Aruba, Curacao and Saint Maarten, although those are territories belonging to the Netherlands, according to German officials.

The Robert Koch Institute, which functions as Germany’s center for disease control, announced that France will be removed from its “high-risk” list as of Sunday.

Greece, other “high risk” Covid countries have ramped up anti-virus measures

The four nations on the list have strengthened their anti-Covid restrictions in recent weeks as the virus surged, filling hospitals and ICUs.

Dutch authorities decreed that there will be no fans whatsoever at sporting events until December 4 at the very least; at the same time, government authorities have told bars, restaurants and shops to close their doors earlier, just as they had done earlier in the pandemic.

Belgium has even ordered workers to telecommute from their homes four days every week, hoping that the reduced contact will lead to less viral transmission.

Like many American states, Belgium is also allowing all those who have completed their first vaccination series to have a booster shot. The country also is stipulating that all those working in healthcare who are not vaccinated could face the loss of their jobs beginning in April of 2022.

On Wednesday, Greece declared a ban on unvaccinated people in restaurants, museums, gyms and cinemas — even if they could produce a negative test.

Previously, unvaccinated people could enter these establishments with a negative test, apart from indoor restaurants.

The new measures were put in place to halt increasing transmission in the country, where hospitals have begun filling up just like in the beginning of the pandemic.

Greece has so far fully vaccinated about 62 percent of its population of around 11 million. Authorities had hoped for a rate of about 70 percent by Autumn.

A similar policy is in place in Ireland, where patrons hoping to enter bars, clubs, theaters, and cinemas must show proof of vaccination to enter. Additionally, bars and restaurants can only stay open until midnight.