In a big relief to professionals and students, Germany has decided to reduce travel restrictions on visitors from India as long as they observe quarantine and testing rules. Germany has announced to ease travel restrictions from India, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Russia from July 7.

Stiff restrictions had been imposed on the five countries, including India, because of the prevalence of more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Switzerland was the first country to open its doors for fully vaccinated visitors from post second Covid-19 wave India.

German Ambassador to India Walter J Lindner tweeted Tuesday, “Promised to work hard on easing travel restrictions for travellers from India and update you immediately. And voila: from (Wednesday) Germany is removing entry bans and easing travel rules for 5 countries where the Delta variant is widespread, including India! Details soon on website…” Germany had banned travelling from India after classifying its area of variant of concern from April 26, 2021.

Currently, India allows international travel to 27 countries, including Germany, under a bilateral air bubble arrangement.

Travellers entering Germany by air must present a negative test result or proof of vaccination or proof of recovery to their carrier prior to departure, the Robert Koch Institute said. The quarantine period can be cut to five days if people test negative for Covid-19, or avoided altogether if travellers prove they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

Lufthansa website said, “Please note that as of Wednesday, 07.07.2021 00.00 (German local time), the United Kingdom, India, Portugal and the Russian Federation are no longer considered as virus variant areas. (New: High incidence areas). Note for passengers on flights from the United Kingdom, India, Portugal and the Russian Federation from 07.07.2021: If your flight booking has been cancelled due to a ban on carriage, please contact a Lufthansa Service Center to request a possible reinstallation of your flights.”

A large number of Indian students and professionals are currently planning to travel to Germany to resume classes or work. The number of Indian students in Germany in 2020 increased by 20.85 per cent over the past year and stood at more than 25,000.

Hundreds of students and professionals from India who have a job offer in German companies and admitted students in German colleges wrote  to Germany and  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure they are exempt from the travel ban that the country has in place.