Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn has issued a statement following Germany's decision to class the Grand Duchy as an at-risk country.
On Tuesday 14 July 2020, the German federal government placed Luxembourg on its list of at-risk countries due to a rising number of COVID-19 infections. People travelling to Germany from countries on this list may be subject to quarantine.
Nevertheless, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister assured that Germany had reintroduced neither border checks nor border closures, adding that "no federal state prohibits entry from Luxembourg". Minister Jean Asselborn also stated that the foreseen quarantine measures for at-risk countries "are not an absolute obstacle to being able to travel to Germany".
He recalled that several groups are exempt from this quarantine requirement, including cross-border workers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland in Germany. Exceptions are also made for "necessary" travel, although this varies from federal state. In Rhineland-Palatinate, this applies to students, those wishing to visit family or those requiring medial care. In addition, transit remains permitted throughout Germany.
Minister Jean Asselborn added that "even people who are not exempt from these regulations can still travel to Germany without going into quarantine if they can show a medical certificate based on a negative molecular biological corona test". The test result must have been issued within 48 hours prior to entering Germany and travellers must keep the certificate (written in German or English) with them for fourteen days.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister recalled that the situation is more complicated for German residents wishing to visit Luxembourg than the other way around, although this again differs from state to state. For instance, residents of Rhineland-Palatinate can stay in Luxembourg for 72 hours without having to go into quarantine upon their return to Germany. Discussions are also underway in Saarland to reach a similar agreement. For residents of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, visits to Luxembourg lasting no more than 48 hours are exempt from quarantine.
Minister Jean Asselborn concluded by reminding that provisions are subject to change, thus Luxembourg residents should consult the official websites of the respective federal states prior to travelling to Germany.
