On Thursday, Germany called on its citizens to stop travelling to countries and regions that have high rates of coronavirus disease.

The authorities also warned citizens that measures to curb COVID-19 will be tightened.

“It turned out that a disproportionate number of travellers returning (from high-risk areas) had a positive result,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters after a meeting with the leaders of 16 German countries.

In recent weeks, outbreaks of disease associated with large-scale events: weddings, family celebrations and parties on the beaches abroad have even made headlines in the local media. This has led to calls for strict measures against events that may violate the rules of social distance.

Merkel said it was likely that anyone returning from a trip to a high-risk country would no longer be entitled to compensation for loss of wages from October.

Germany has a list of high-risk countries and regions, which includes most countries outside Europe. But recently it has also included members of the European Union: Paris, the Cote d’Azur and most of Spain.

Germany is also extending its ban on major events such as concerts, sports competitions and festivals until at least the end of the year. Previously, the ban would expire at the end of October.

Source: Reuters