• Disturbed sense of smell or taste, fever, (dry) cough, sore throat, general fatigue
• Less frequently: Pain, nausea and vomiting, runny nose, diarrhoea
  

Persons at a higher risk of serious illness

• Older persons (increasing risk of serious illness from an age of around 50 to 60 years)
• Persons with pre-existing medical conditions: Heart diseases, lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer, conditions resulting in a weakened immune system, obesity
• Smokers                          

• Maintain a distance of 1.5 to 2 metres to others and avoid crowds wherever possible
• Wearing a covering over your mouth and nose can reduce the risk of infection
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Thorough washing of your hands (20 seconds – for children: Sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
• Wash your hands after using a disposable tissue
• Avoid touching your face to reduce the risk of the virus coming into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid physical contact, including handshakes, when greeting others
• Provide for regular and effective ventilation of indoor spaces
• The Corona-Warn-App can help to interrupt chains of infection
  

The use of disinfectants and protective clothing is recommended only for persons working in medical occupations. The Public Health Office is not responsible for supplies of such materials.

The Corona-Warn-App is an important element of the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It helps the Public Health Office to identify chains of infection quickly and efficiently. The underlying concept is based on voluntary use of the app. All data are stored locally on the user's own mobile phone. Further information can be found on the website of the Robert Koch-Institute.

In order to effectively protect oneself and others against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the Free State of Saxony currently prescribes the mandatory wearing of a covering over mouth and nose for certain areas (public transport, stores and businesses). A violation of the mask obligation will in future be punished with a fine of 60 euros. Children up to the age of six will be exempted. In other areas of public life, it is urgently recommended to wear a covering over mouth and nose.

• Citizens who are displaying relevant symptoms may contact a general practitioner after making an appointment by telephone.
• Persons who are known to have had contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus are required to observe a period of quarantine. If the quarantined person later develops symptoms, a general practitioner should be consulted to determine further action (an appointment must be made in advance by telephone). The Public Health Office (Gesundheitsamt) must also be notified by telephone (0351-4885322) or by e-mail.
• In exceptional cases, persons who develop symptoms may also seek help at the Corona Outpatient Clinic (Corona-Ambulanz) at Dresden University Hospital.

 Important notes

• A general practitioner is obliged to treat patients.
• The Public Health Office is unable to issue medical certificates (“sick notes”) for presentation to an employer (e.g. if a child is placed in quarantine or in case of voluntary quarantine).

Returning from a risk area

Since 8th August, all persons entering the country from an area designated a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute must present themselves for a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test within 72 hours. This testing is conducted free of charge. Persons returning from risk areas are furthermore obliged to report immediately to the responsible Public Health Office and must observe a 14-day period of quarantine at home until they receive a negative test result.

Please note: Completion of a passenger locator form does not fulfil the above reporting obligation!

These requirements apply to all arrivals from areas which are designated a risk area on the date of entry into the country.

You can report to the Dresden Public Health Office via the corona hotline (0351-4885322) or by e-mail, and must provide the following information: 

• Full name, date of birth and address of each person concerned
• Phone number to enable the Public Health Office to contact you quickly if necessary
• Date of entry (arrival in Germany)
• Exact description of your travel route for the 14 days before entry, specifying any stopovers and the means of transport used up to arrival in Dresden (e.g. journey starting on 1st June 2020; flight to Sweden, staying until 8th June 2020; flight to Copenhagen, staying until 15th June 2020; return flight to Frankfurt/Main and train to Dresden, arriving at 2.00 p.m. on 15th June 2020)
• Occupation (to enable the Public Health Office to decide whether a work-related exemption may apply)

An official notice of quarantine will be sent to youby email or by post within a few days. The requirement to isolate ends automatically 14 days after entry into the country.

Presentation of a medical certificate

Persons returning from an area designated a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute may be exempted from the requirement to self-isolate if they are able to present a medical certificate, issued in the German or English language, which states that there is no evidence of an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. They are nevertheless obliged to report their arrival to the Public Health Office. As described above, all persons concerned should report to the Public Health Office by e-mail and must provide the specified information.

The medical certificate must be supported by a molecular biological test (PCR test) conducted in a member state of the European Union or in one of the other states listed by the Robert Koch Institute no more than 48 hours before entry into the Federal Republic of Germany. The certificate must be kept for at least 14 days after entry into the country. In such cases, no quarantine is imposed.

Returning from a non-risk area

All persons returning to Germany from abroad are entitled to free coronavirus testing within 72 hours. Test centres have been set up at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports, and at the motorway rest areas “Am Heidenholz” on the A17 and “An der Neiße” on the A4. Tests may also be performed by a general practitioner. Reasonable proof of previous international travel must be presented

Travellers are not required to observe particular reporting or quarantine obligations while waiting for the test result.

In case of a positive test result, the laboratory or doctor will notify the responsible Public Health Office. The person concerned will then receive a corresponding notice of infection and must observe an immediate 14-day period of quarantine.