Emmanuel Thomas / DPA I Monday, April 10, 2023
BERLIN – The German government is contemplating lifting entry ban on Chinese tourists, one of the last remaining measures introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The German government is contemplating lifting its entry ban on Chinese tourists, one of the last remaining measures introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“A complete lifting of these last remaining entry and visa restrictions for tourism purposes is currently being discussed,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The government lifted most of its coronavirus health measures on March 1 concerning people entering the country from China.
And nationwide, most of Germany’s restrictions based on the Infection Protection Act were lifted on April 7.
However, the entry ban for tourists from China remains in place. Beyond Germany, other EU countries such as Austria and Switzerland are already issuing visas to Chinese tourists, according to the foreign ministers in Vienna and Bern.
Germany’s considerations come days before German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock travels to China. Her talks may include tourism, though given a large number of weighty issues between Berlin and Beijing this is unlikely to be at the top of her agenda.
Before the pandemic, Chinese travelers were key to the tourism industry worldwide, spending some $200 billion around the globe in 2019, according to estimates by US bank Citi.
Germany had 1.5 million visitors from China in 2019, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The figure fell to nearly 180,000 in 2022.
