Traveling to Germany: What you need to know about coronavirus restrictions

Germany is in a strict lockdown. Travel has not been banned, but an appeal issued to refrain from non-essential trips. The borders remain open. Here's what you need to know about Germany's entry regulations.

Germany has moved from a partial lockdown, which began in November, to tough new Covid curbs over Christmas. Non-essential shops are closed across the country from Wednesday (December 16) as are schools. The measures already in place since November, including closed restaurants, bars, cafes, cultural and leisure facilities, have been extended until January 31. Restaurants can still offer takeaway services. Overnight stays in hotels for tourist purposes continue to be banned. Museums and tourist attractions remain closed.

What do the new restrictions consist of?

All nonessential shops and services will close until January 10, including hairdressers which remained open under the current lockdown "lite."

Schools are urged to send students home and continue lessons online, as well as extend the winter break until January 31.

Day care centers will also close, but parents will be able to take paid holidays in order to look after their children.

Employers are encouraged to allow employees to work from home.

People will not be allowed to drink alcohol in public.

Religious events in churches, synagogues and mosques may take place if they follow hygiene rules, but communal singing is not allowed.

The country is effectively closed to tourists, but as the borders remain open it is still possible to enter Germany.

Travel warnings, risk areas, quarantine requirements: For many of our readers, the entry regulations for Germany are confusing. Here are a few answers to the most important questions relating to entry regulations.

From January 11, travelers returning home and those entering the country from risk areas will not only have to undergo a ten-day quarantine, which can be reduced to five days if a negative COVID-19 test is presented. In addition, there will also be mandatory testing upon entry, which means everyone must be tested in the 48 hours prior to entry or immediately thereafter. In addition, returnees from high-risk areas will have to register online at www.einreiseanmeldung.de. The web application replaces the previous paper entry cards.

Despite the lockdown, the borders remain open and entry into Germany is still possible. However, tourism-related travel is prohibited throughout the country, with exceptions only