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Confusion over new COVID-19 rules and EU COVID pass (certificate)

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Trabantlover

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not we will have to show a proof of vaccination, a proof of a negative test or a proof of recovery through a QR code starting August 1st in Germany if we want to go into shopping malls, restaurants, board trains etc. I'm asking because in France such measures will be introduced starting August 1st and there are currently mass protests there because of it. I however haven't heard anything about this being planned in Germany as well.

This brings me to my next question, I have an old phone and for some reason it doesn't allow me to download any of the COVID apps which I will probably need if I want to travel abroad. How else can I get this app and will I be able to travel with simply a negative PCR test in the upcoming weeks or will I still need to show a QR code?

beppi

In Germany, the COVID rules are tied to the local infected numbers (incidence rate) of the town you are in - and furthermore differ even at the same incidence from province to province. You should always inform yourself about the actual rules in force at the place you are staying or want to go to!
For those without a smartphone (or unwilling to install the apps), paper certifications are acceptable as alternative proof. But they must be from an official source (test or vaccination centre or doctor) - and you may need official translations if they are not in German or English.

TominStuttgart

Have to admit that Covid rules are in constant change; can vary according to region and where one is coming from - and nobody can say for sure what will develop either in the infection situation or the exact measures to control it. At this point it would seem unlikely to see these  restrictions mentioned  implemented in Germany. They want to make things easy as possible for people who are vaccinated to encourage it - not to make it impossible for people who aren't. There is still a mask requirement for things like using public transportation or going into shops. This will not likely change to be replaced with a vaccination requirement which would be more complicated to control and much more restrictive which would create a lot of resistance if rates are still low..s

I have booked a flight to go to the US in mid August and expect that I will have to show that I have been vaccinated and likely get a Covid test on short notice and additionally wear a mask on the flights. But I have no problem with any of this. Official Covid tests are available on virtually every other street corner in big cities these days - and are free for German residents.

I have been fully vaccinated in Germany and was given an official statement to this effect. It has a QR code on it and they seem to expect that most people will download one of the 2 official apps that tie in with the QR code and will store the vaccination certification on one's cell phone. Problem is that the apps need Android 6.1 or higher and I only have 5.1. My phone is not the newest but more than enough for all of my other needs. I'm not going to replace it just for this app. But I also doubt they will make the apps usable for older operating systems. Maybe it would not be technically possible.

True that one can hard survive without a smart phone these days but it would be going a bit too far that one has to have the newest model and those particular apps just to prove that they have been vaccinated.

Trabantlover

I haven't gotten vaccinated yet but either way I will ask for a official QR code once I get tested prior to my next travel. The only frustrating thing for me would be if I have to always show a QR code prior to going to a restaurant, going to a museum, going shopping etc. etc. which looks like it will be the case in neighbouring France.

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