Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is well prepared to deal with the outbreak of infectious diseases—fulfilling all recommendations of the health authorities responsible for FRA (the Frankfurt Health Department and the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs). Currently, health screening of passengers has not been ordered by the authorities. In cooperation with the relevant health authorities, we are providing targeted information for travelers via monitors in the terminals and flyers are handed out to arriving passengers.
Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), national governments must provide capacities at designated airports for responding to public health events. In Germany, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) has been designated as one of these specially-equipped airports. Therefore, FRA is prepared to respond effectively and immediately to an outbreak of novel or highly infectious diseases and to receive infected and potentially infected passengers. Among other measures, a so-called Medical Assessment Center (MAC) can be activated at FRA. The MAC provides assistance and immediate medical examination of infected and potentially infected passengers, as well as temporary accommodation, if required. In response to the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the responsible Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs (HSM) ordered Frankfurt Airport to activate the MAC for maximum preparedness for receiving affected arriving passengers.
Following the instructions of the Hessian Ministry, Frankfurt Airport is providing the required space and infrastructure for the MAC. The MAC itself will be operated by the responsible health authorities.
Travel restrictions
Since July 1, 2020, travellers from the following third countries have been allowed to re-enter the European Union: Australia, Georgia, Japan*, Canada, Montenegro, New Zealand, South Korea*, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China*. For all other third countries, in order to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, the existing travel restrictions continue to apply to all non-essential travel to the EU.
*For China, Japan and South Korea a lifting of entry restrictions is subject to confirmation of reciprocity.
Border checks
The checks at internal European borders introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic ended at midnight on June 15, 2020. Specifically, travellers will no longer be checked at the borders with Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark. As a result of joint consultations, temporary border control for air travel from Spain ended in both countries on June 21, 2020. This decision means that travellers from other EU countries will no longer need a valid reason for entering Germany. This also applies to entries from the Schengen associated countries, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, as well as entries from the United Kingdom. For tourism and other travel, the information and warnings published by the Federal Foreign Office apply.
Quarantine requirements and entry registration in Hesse
From November 8, 2020 new quarantine regulations will be in force for inbound passengers returning from or staying in the last 10 days in high-risk areas. Those travelers are obliged to go directly to their home or other suitable accommodation immediately after their return and to stay there permanently for a period of 10 days. In order to shorten the 10 days quarantine, a PCR-Covid-19 test can be done from the fifth day after entry onwards. After receiving a negative test result the quarantine ends. At this time, the tests for returning travelers from risk countries is free of charge in related test centers until 10 days after arrival. At Frankfurt Airport Free tests are available in two testing centers located on the pedestrian bridge connecting Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station. Further information regarding the test possibilities at the airport can be found here.
Go
here for information on exceptions to the quarantine requirement. It is expected to remain in effect until January 31, 2021.
There is the obligation to inform the health authority immediately after arriving from risk countries. Those travelers have to register
online.
- Procedure Non-Schengen flights from risk areas: the saved or written registration is shown/ handed over to the border authority at immigration by the passenger. The airline is obliged to check a successful registration against ID card or equivalent prior to boarding and provide the substitute registration form for passengers not having registered online. The boarding of a passenger without the proof of a successful registration is not permitted.
- Procedure Schengen flights from risk areas: the airline is obliged to check a successful registration against ID card or equivalent prior to boarding and provide the substitute registration form for passengers not having registered online. The boarding of a passenger without the proof of a successful registration is not permitted. All written forms have to be handed over to the health authorities (FRA: medical center) by the airline.
If digital registration is not possible, passengers will still have to fill out the substitute registration form. You can find it in Englisch and German as well as the information flyer in various languages
here. We recommend to include the new obligation/link for the electronic registration in your booking, pre-flight and check-in information for passengers as well as giving advice to operational crews.
Arrivals and departures only in Terminal 1
In response to reduced passenger traffic caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Frankfurt Airport will bundle all passenger handling operations in Terminal 1, effective April 7. From that date, passenger operations in FRA’s Terminal 2 will be suspended until further notice (affecting both Concourses D and E). The parking garage at T2 will also be temporarily closed to passengers. From April 7, check-in processes for all flights departing Frankfurt will take place in Terminal 1, Concourse B and C. From here, passengers can pass the security checkpoint to reach their departures gates in Piers A and B.
(last updated: November 11th, 2020)
