The recent travel restrictions placed by the Federal Republic of Germany on the United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories has affected German passengers aboard today’s cruise ship Costa Deliziosa which is berthed in the British Virgin Islands.
Following the resurgence of positive COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom, Germany’s government added the UK to its ‘areas of variants of concern’ list, on Monday December 20.
Once on this list, it means that all persons who visited any of the listed countries within a 10-day period upon return to Germany, are required to quarantine regardless of vaccination status for a period of 14-days.
This new travel requirement directly impacted all German passengers onboard today’s cruise vessel Costa Deliziosa, preventing them from being able to disembark the vessel to explore the territory.
The BVI Ports Authority confirmed the decision in a statement which was issued on social media today December 22.
It read, “Due to new restrictions by the German Government any traveler who have visited the United Kingdom or British Overseas Territories within 10 days will have to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Germany. Regrettably due to this newly implemented restriction, German passengers aboard today’s COSTA DELIZIOSA ship will not be disembarking.”
German health officials explain the re entry procedures
In an official document, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health pointed out the following information for travelers entering Germany from areas of variants of concern.
The health authorities said, “Before departure, please be prepared for your carrier (e.g. airline) to require from you an up-to-date PCR test if you spent time in an area of variants of concern at any time in the ten days prior to entry. After your arrival, further PCR testing may be ordered by the health authorities at the airport or at the place of isolation/quarantine. Please be aware of the 14-day quarantine requirement, which also applies to vaccinated and recovered individuals. The duration of the 14-day quarantine may not be shortened.”
Unclear how many passengers affected
Due to the new travel restrictions, it is unclear how many passengers were impacted and also how it will affect the BVI’s economy.
284News reached out to the BVI Ports Authority Managing Director for an official comment on the matter, but no response was received prior to publication of this article.