In Germany, some prime ministers have started a debate about a possible tightening of entry regulations. If Markus Söder (CSU) has his way, holiday returnees may be in quarantine as early as August 1, 2021.

The discussion is almost like a blueprint from the previous year, because at that time Germany introduced free PCR tests at the border crossings. A few weeks later, a debate sparked about the fact that return travelers should pay these themselves, because the free offer really encourages people to travel.

The federal government does not want to require quarantine this week for fully vaccinated people, even if they come from virus variant areas. The next change in the regulations was actually planned for September 11, 2021, but Markus Söder, Manuela Schwesig (SPD), Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Michael Müller (SPD) are not going quickly enough. These are calling for a federal-state conference to be convened at short notice in order to be able to tighten the travel rules on August 1, 2021.

The Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania suggests that two tests should be necessary in the future. One should be done abroad and the other in Germany. There should be quarantine until the result of the second test is available. Your Berlin colleague Michael Müller even points out that the "good starting position for autumn" would now be gambled away.

The country leaders are obviously focusing on unvaccinated people who are returning from vacation. There are currently no indications that a possible tightening of entry regulations could affect vaccinated persons. A little bit this can be seen as a subtle pressure to go to the vaccination.