Saxony will allow travelers from the Czech Republic short-term entry without quarantine

The Saxony region of Germany will allow people from the Czech Republic to enter without the need to quarantine if they are only staying a maximum of 24 hours, Saxony Health Minister Petra Kopping has told the region's MDR radio station.

As of last week, Germany had listed the Czech Republic among risk countries due to the spread of the coronavirus infection; quarantine measures currently must be observed for travelers arriving from the Czech Republic to Germany.

At present, Germany requires a negative COVID-19 test or an obligatory quarantine with a subsequent test from travelers from risk countries and regions.

As of October 1, quarantine will be applied as a blanket measure and can be terminated by a negative test after five days.

Truck drivers and those commuting to work across the border, unless they have symptoms of COVID-19, are exempted from these requirements.

Berlin intends to preserve these exemptions. It is, however, not sure how they will look after October 1. Testing of commuters is being discussed, for instance.

The Federal German Health Minister says the establishment of quarantine measures for cross-border contacts are left up to particular German lands. Bavaria and Saxony bordering on the Czech Republic want to keep the exemptions, while Saxony will facilitate short-time border crossings as of October.