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Lufthansa announced this week that it is partnering with COVID-19 test companies to offer customers coronavirus testing at both Frankfurt and Munich airports. European Union also agrees to start lifting travel restrictions for select non-EU countries effective July 1st.
The tests will be available to customers prior to arrival or departure from the airports, and will allow healthy travellers to avoid unnecessarily quarantining. The tests will require a throat swab.
Results usually take four to five hours and are linked to a customer’s flight ticket. Travellers will be able to see the results via a mobile app.
“These test centres offer our customers the opportunity to avoid being quarantined, when arriving in Germany and Austria, with a negative corona test in their hand,” said Dr. Björn Becker, Senior Director Product Management Ground & Digital Services Lufthansa Group.
Lufthansa recommends conducting tests either one day before departure, or right after arrival. Ordinarily, customers arriving in Germany and Austria are currently subject to a 14-day-quarantine if they travel from certain countries, however they can also provide evidence of a negative PCR corona test.
Munich passengers can request the tests in advance by contacting the testing center (Centogene), and Frankfurt travellers are required to register either online or directly at the test center.
This news comes as Lufthansa announced 50 percent of its fleet is returning to operations. By the end of October, Lufthansa plans to serve over 90 percent of its originally planned short- and medium-haul destinations and over 70 percent of the Group's long-haul destinations.
"Little by little, the borders open again. Demand is increasing, in the short term but also in the long term. We are therefore consistently expanding our flight schedule and our global network and pushing ahead with our restart. I am pleased that we can now offer our guests even more connections to all parts of the world with all Lufthansa Group Airlines via all hubs," said Harry Hohmeister, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Coronavirus and Travel
Many countries advise against travel during the outbreak. If you still need to travel, use this tool to understand your risk and keep track of global travel restrictions.
Mandatory mouth-nose-mask on Lufthansa Group flights
When traveling with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, it is mandatory to wear a mouth and nose protection– while boarding, during the flight and when leaving the aircraft.
Please note:
• To cover the mouth and nose, fabric and medical protective masks can be used
• Visors (face shields) or FFP2 masks with a valve are not permitted on board
• On long-haul flights, we recommend that passengers bring several masks with them so that they can be replaced if necessary (once they get damp)
• Children under the age of six do not need to wear a face mask
•New as of 1 September 2020: An exception to the mask requirement is only possible with a medical certificate* in conjunction with a current negative PCR test result (from within 48 hours of the start of travel) Mouth-nose-mask FAQs
Flying remains one of the safest travel alternatives during COVID-19
The risk of contracting COVID-19 in flight remains very low. Click here to learn more about what the aviation industry is doing to help make your flight safer.
⚠️ Updated Mask Policy
Lufthansa is adapting the obligation to wear mouth-nose covers while travelling. From 1 February 2021, only facemasks of the following standards will be permitted on flights to and from Germany: FFP2, KN95 and N95 standard or surgical masks. These have to be worn during boarding, on board and when leaving the aircraft. Masks made of fabric will no longer be permitted, visors and masks with valves have not been permitted already. Thus, in order to protect the health of all passengers and employees, the Lufthansa Group Airlines are taking up the regulation the German federal states have issued on 19 January 2021.
Click here to learn more.
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