Although Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn told RTL on Saturday that discussions were taking place to find special exemptions from the travel restrictions, it appears the discussions were not fruitful.
Anyone who has spent 72 hours in Luxembourg must either quarantine upon arrival in Rheinlaind-Pfalz/Rhineland-Palatinate and inform the health directorate, or they must be in possession of a negative Covid test performed within the last 48 hours.
These measures are expected to be in place until mid-October.
Exceptions will be made for cross-border workers or for those travelling on medical grounds, or to take exams at universities, for example.
Luxembourgers are currently allowed to visit Belgium, so long as their time there does not exceed 48 hours. This exception will not be upheld by Rheinlaind-Pfalz/Rhineland-Palatinate, according to a statement made on Monday.
Minister-President Malou Dreyer (SPD) continues to advocate for Luxembourg's non-exclusion.
Saarland's Minister-President Tobias Hans (CDU) agreed that the Grand Duchy's classification as a risk factor would present a major challenge, particularly for those living in Saarland but working in Luxembourg, or those with family in the Grand Duchy.
The same rules are in place as in Rheinlaind-Pfalz/Rhineland-Palatinate; however, Hans said in an interview that further negotiations with the federal government and the federal states were planned, in order to facilitate border traffic.
Editor's Note: to clear up some 'transit questions':
Excerpt from the German National Foreign Office
Nationals of non-EU countries (third-country nationals) may enter Germany to travel to another EU member state, another Schengen member state or the United Kingdom as their country of final destination if the following conditions are met:
(1) there are no other reasonable direct routes to the country of destination;
(2) the traveller remains in Germany (as country of transit) only as long as absolutely necessary to travel directly to the country of destination or another transit country;
(3) the traveller is permitted to enter the country of destination or another transit country (in accordance with Annex II of the Council Recommendation of 30 June 2020 or with individual confirmation of permission to enter issued by the country of destination; see below).
Under these conditions, third-country nationals may enter Germany by air and travel overland to their country of destination.
The third-country national must provide evidence that the conditions listed above have been met. Airline or other travel tickets, etc. may be presented to meet conditions (1) and (2). To meet condition (3), the traveller may present a document issued by the responsible authorities of the country of destination (or another transit country) certifying that entry restrictions have been waived or that approval of entry has been granted. Such a document is necessary in particular if the third-country national does not meet the requirements for entering Germany but does meet the entry requirements of the country of destination (or, if applicable, of another transit country). Germany’s border control officials only check for compliance with the requirements for entering Germany.
