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.
Coronavirus Testing
Beginning on August 8, 2020, all travelers returning from high-risk areas must be tested either no more than 48 hours prior to flying or free of charge 10 days after arriving in Germany. Those passengers receive a passenger locator card to fill out on board the aircraft. It is collected before they deplane and turned over to the health authorities (FRA: Medical Center) by the airline. Free tests are available in two testing centers located right at the airport 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.
Unless they have tested negative for Covid-19, passengers arriving from high-risk countries must immediately quarantine themselves at home or their final destination for two weeks.
Quarantine requirements in Hesse
According the ordinance of the State of Hesse on quarantine, passengers entering the state from a high-risk area are required to stay in quarantine for 14 days.
According to the model ordinance, the quarantine requirement does not apply to travellers in transit through Germany who show no symptoms of infection with COVID-19, or to people who have a doctor’s certificate stating that they show no signs of infection with Covid-19. Such a certificate must come from a doctor in an EU member state or in a country listed here, and it must have been issued within the past 48 hours.
In Hesse this regulation is expected to apply until Oktober 31, 2020. Exceptions to this requirement can be found here.
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: September 16, 2020)
