Flying safely

Air traffic from Berlin has risen significantly again since the beginning of July. Most airlines are back with a wide range of European holiday destinations as well as regular scheduled flights.  Numerous measures in the terminals as well as at security checkpoints and boarding areas ensure that passengers the airport can board their flights safely despite corona conditions. Distance markings on the floor at the check-in areas, security checkpoints and baggage claim areas help passengers to comply with the applicable distancing rules. Plexiglas partitions are being installed at check-in and boarding counters as well as at security checkpoints and passport control. Travellers will also find contactless hand sanitiser dispensers at security checkpoints and waiting areas. Passengers will find wipe dispensers at self-check-in counters to disinfect displays and handles themselves. In addition, travellers receive up-to-date information on distancing and hygiene rules via the monitors and announcements in the terminals. For the transport to and from the airplane, enough buses are provided, so that each bus is only about half occupied. Travellers are asked not to all board the first available bus to ensure that the maximum capacity is maintained.

Passengers entering Germany from risk areas must be tested for the coronavirus within 72 hours of entry. Testing is also possible at the airport. The test offer is exclusively aimed at returning travellers who show no symptoms of corona. Children from the age of six can be tested in the presence of a parent or guardian. The tests are free of charge and are being carried out jointly by Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Vivantes Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH.

Registration and the swab itself usually only take a few minutes, however, waiting times must be expected depending on the demand. The test result is available within 72 hours. Those tested receive an email telling them that the result is available in the app. Returning travellers are still bound to comply with the current home quarantine regulations until the test result has been disclosed. If the test result is positive, the public health officer or responsible local health authority based on the postcode will contact the person concerned.

Travellers with symptoms should not use the airport test points. They are obliged to contact the responsible local health authority by telephone as soon as possible to discuss any further procedures and, also after registering by telephone, visit their GP, one of the COVID-19 practices set up by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Berlin) or one of Berlin’s corona screening centres. Unnecessary contact, especially with the elderly or chronically ill people, must be avoided and the usual distancing and hygiene rules apply.

Travellers are asked to be at the airport at least two hours before departure, despite there being less traffic, since some processes at the airport take considerably longer under the new distancing and hygiene rules.

• Processes, such as check-in and security checks, should be contactless wherever possible. For example, travellers are asked to check in online and load their boarding pass directly onto their smartphone.
• Wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth is mandatory for travellers at the airport. This rule does not apply to children under six years of age. Distancing regulations are also in place and masks that cover the nose and mouth must be worn in food and shopping areas. In addition, some airlines require passengers to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth on flights. Therefore, you must check with your airline regarding the applicable regulations before your departure.
• Arriving passengers are asked to leave the terminal immediately after arrival and baggage claim to avoid crowded terminals. Anyone picking up passengers must wait outside the terminal.
• At the request of the Federal Police, each passenger is currently only allowed to carry one piece of hand luggage at the security checkpoints. The Federal Police and the large German commercial airports have developed a procedure to reliably check as many passengers as possible while safely observing the distancing and hygiene regulations. For example, in future the Federal Police will frequently forgo asking passengers to take of their shoes.
• It is mandatory in Berlin and Brandenburg to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth both in public transport and while shopping. This also applies while travelling to the airports and in shops open at the airport.

On 15 June, the Federal Foreign Office exempted EU countries, Schengen states (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and the United Kingdom from the worldwide travel warning that continues to apply and replaced it with specific travel information for individual countries and regions. Even though the travel warning has been partially lifted, you should find out about any restrictions or quarantine requirements that may still apply in the respective countries of travel before your trip. Up-to-date information can be found on Federal Foreign Office website. 

There are still partial quarantine obligations for travellers from non-European countries when returning to Berlin and Brandenburg. Please ensure that you are aware of the valid rules.

• The preventive and professional disinfection of surfaces that are particularly heavily used (e.g. buttons, lifts, handles, handrails, grips, counters, info counters, boarding card scanners, passport control counters, self-check-in counters, food and beverage machines) has been significantly intensified.
•  All bathroom facilities are continuously subjected to surface disinfection and the soap dispensers and seat cleaners are also refilled and professionally disinfected around the clock.
• Departing and incoming passengers receive up-to-date information via announcements and monitors in the terminals.
• The airport company urges passengers, visitors, anyone picking up or dropping off passengers, as well as employees and partners to comply with and implement the usual and most important hygiene rules.
• Wash your hands thoroughly (20-30 seconds) with soap and water several times a day. Alternatively, use a hand disinfectant.
• Keep a distance of two meters from infected or possibly infected persons.
• Postpone your trip; do not take anyone to the airport or pick anyone up if you have a respiratory infection.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
• If you have to cough or sneeze, keep a clear distance to other people. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the crook of your arm (covered with clothing) to catch droplets.
• Avoid close welcome and farewell rituals. Refrain from shaking hands

The Robert Koch Institute provides up-to-date information on developments.

The Federal Centre for Health Education provides answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

Detailed information on contact restrictions and quarantine measures of the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg:

Information platform for the state of Berlin

Information platform for the state of Brandenburg

Information from the Federal Ministry of the Interior on travel restrictions and border controls

Detailed information on the coronavirus from the Federal Ministry of Health

Questions about the coronavirus answered:

Coronahotline Berlin +49 30 9028 2828 (daily, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm)

Coronahotline Brandenburg +49 331 866 5050 (Mon, Wed & Fri, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm)