People walk past a mobile advertising screen encouraging people to get a Covid-19 booster vaccine in Bolton, Britain, December 18, 2021. — Reuters pic
BERLIN, Dec 18 — Germany’s regional health ministers urged the national government today to introduce tougher rules on people arriving from Britain, where the Omicron coronavirus variant has sparked a surge in infections.
At a meeting, the ministers called on Berlin to classify Britain as a virus-variant area, meaning people arriving from the country would have to quarantine for two weeks even if they are vaccinated.
“The spread of Omicron in the UK is very evident … We have to prevent the spread for as long as possible and slow it down as much as possible,” the ministers said in a statement.
Britain is currently classified in Germany as a high-risk area, meaning travellers who are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 do not need to a provide a test or quarantine.
Unvaccinated travellers must provide a test and quarantine for at least five days.
Britain has reported record daily Covid-19 infections for the past three days, reaching over 90,000 yesterday.
Infections rose steeply in Germany through October and November, but have been slowly falling since December, with 50,968 reported yesterday. — Reuters