Summary for Saturday, 22nd May
From Sunday 23 May, people travelling to Germany from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may only enter the country if they are a German citizen or resident.
Spouses and children under 18 of a German citizen or resident can also enter, as long as the household are travelling together.
Those with an urgent humanitarian reason such as an immediate family bereavement are also able to enter.
But anyone entering the country from the UK will have to quarantine for two weeks, even if they test negative for the coronavirus.
People who are only transferring from one flight to another will still be allowed in, however they must remain in the airport transit area.
Germany is still on the UK government's amber list - meaning travellers must quarantine at home for 10 days on return and take a pre-departure test and two post-arrival tests.
The latest data on Thursday showed there had been 3,424 cases of the variant recorded in total in the UK - that's a rise of more 2,000 in a week.
Most were recorded in north-west England, particularly Bolton, but there have been clusters seen across the country.
Overall, Covid cases in the UK remain relatively low - 2,829 were reported on Friday, compared to more than 8,000 in Germany.
But as this chart shows, the proportion of Indian variant cases in the UK has increased - and is likely to be even higher now.
Cases are low, daily deaths are in single figures, more than 37m people had at least one vaccine, and there are fewer than 1,000 people in hospital with Covid-19.
However, there have been more than 2,000 cases of the faster-spreading Indian variant in the past week - which is why Germany has taken action.
Duesseldorf's old town was bustling on Friday evening
As we have reported, Germany is banning people travelling from the UK due to the Indian variant.
From the UK side, Germany remains on the UK's amber list and the British government says people should only travel there in "exceptional circumstances".
So what do Germany's numbers look like?
On Saturday, the country reported another 7,082 cases and 170 Covid-related deaths.
Some 39.17% of the German population has received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, as of 21 May.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has reported more than 87,000 Covid-related deaths - that compares to more 127,000 in the UK.
It's important to note that how deaths are recorded may differ between countries.
Source: ourworldindata.org / Robert Koch Institute
- From Sunday, people travelling from the UK will not be allowed to enter Germany
- The decision is down to a rise in cases of the Indian variant in the UK
- German citizens and residents, plus people with an exceptional reason, can still enter - but face a two-week quarantine
- But Spain is lifting restrictions for UK travellers from Monday
- In England, those aged 32 and 33 can book in for their first vaccine from today
- On Friday, nine Covid deaths were recorded in the UK, and 2,829 cases
- The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Rotterdam tonight, in front of a Covid-tested audience of 3,500
Welcome to the Covid-19 live page
Good morning from the UK, and welcome back to our rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic. The headlines this morning:- From Sunday, travellers from the UK will be barred from entering Germany, due to a rise in the Indian variant in the UK
- German citizens and residents, plus people with exceptional reasons, will be allowed to enter - but face a two-week quarantine
- Spain is allowing UK travellers from Monday - but the country is on the UK's "amber" list, meaning the government says people should not take holidays there
- In England, 32 and 33-year-olds can now book their vaccines
- On Friday, nine Covid deaths were recorded in the UK, and another 2,829 cases
Germany to ban Brits amid variant spread
Germany's Public Health Institute has designated the UK as a virus variant area of concern.From Sunday 23 May, people travelling to Germany from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may only enter the country if they are a German citizen or resident.
Spouses and children under 18 of a German citizen or resident can also enter, as long as the household are travelling together.
Those with an urgent humanitarian reason such as an immediate family bereavement are also able to enter.
But anyone entering the country from the UK will have to quarantine for two weeks, even if they test negative for the coronavirus.
People who are only transferring from one flight to another will still be allowed in, however they must remain in the airport transit area.
Germany is still on the UK government's amber list - meaning travellers must quarantine at home for 10 days on return and take a pre-departure test and two post-arrival tests.
What is the situation with the Indian variant in the UK?
As we've reported, Germany is banning most UK travellers because of concern about the Indian variant in Britain. But how widespread is it?The latest data on Thursday showed there had been 3,424 cases of the variant recorded in total in the UK - that's a rise of more 2,000 in a week.
Most were recorded in north-west England, particularly Bolton, but there have been clusters seen across the country.
Overall, Covid cases in the UK remain relatively low - 2,829 were reported on Friday, compared to more than 8,000 in Germany.
But as this chart shows, the proportion of Indian variant cases in the UK has increased - and is likely to be even higher now.
What is the virus situation in the UK?
As Germany bans almost all travellers from the UK, it's worth remembering that the virus situation in the UK is vastly improved from earlier in the year.Cases are low, daily deaths are in single figures, more than 37m people had at least one vaccine, and there are fewer than 1,000 people in hospital with Covid-19.
However, there have been more than 2,000 cases of the faster-spreading Indian variant in the past week - which is why Germany has taken action.
What is the virus situation in Germany?
Duesseldorf's old town was bustling on Friday evening
As we have reported, Germany is banning people travelling from the UK due to the Indian variant.
From the UK side, Germany remains on the UK's amber list and the British government says people should only travel there in "exceptional circumstances".
So what do Germany's numbers look like?
On Saturday, the country reported another 7,082 cases and 170 Covid-related deaths.
Some 39.17% of the German population has received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, as of 21 May.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has reported more than 87,000 Covid-related deaths - that compares to more 127,000 in the UK.
It's important to note that how deaths are recorded may differ between countries.
Source: ourworldindata.org / Robert Koch Institute