Having announced the measure last week, minister Jens Spahn said it would take effect from this weekend, as fears grow over rising case numbers blamed on summer holidays and local outbreaks.
"It is already the case that travellers from risk zones are obliged to either go into a two-week quarantine or provide an up-to-date negative test result," he said at a press conference Thursday.
From Saturday, "travellers entering Germany will have to bring a test result with them or be tested on arrival", he added, confirming once again that the tests would be paid for by the government.
Spahn said test stations would continue to be set up at airports, and testing facilities will also be made available when entering Germany by train or car.
The Health Minister also spoke about the "worrying" rise in infections in Germany. The latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute show there have been more than 1,000 confirmed cases in 24 hours – the highest increase in three months.
READ ALSO: Germany sees more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections in one day
'Freedom always comes with responsibility'
Currently, people in Germany coming back into the country from elsewhere can be tested free of charge for the virus within 72 hours of arrival.
But the government has decided to make tests mandatory for those coming from high risk regions in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus.
Spahn, of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), said imposing tests was "the safe option". "I appreciate that this is an infringement on individual freedom, but I think it is a justifiable one," he said.
He said it's important to look after and protect each other. "Freedom always comes with responsibility, for myself and for others," said Spahn.
Currently, most countries in the world are classed as risk areas by Germany, including the USA and Brazil.
In the EU, the RKI has designated Luxembourg, the Belgian region of Antwerp and some regions in northern Spain as risk areas, as well as several European countries outside the EU. Four Turkish coastal provinces, for which the Federal Foreign Office no longer issues travel warnings, are also still classified as risk areas.
READ ALSO: Which countries are Germany's imported coronavirus cases coming from?
Health Minister Jens Spahn on Thursday. Photo: DPA
The tests for holiday returnees are to be free of charge, said Spahn. He doesn't believe in the viewpoint that "if you can afford the holiday can afford the test".
This, he said, called into question the solidarity approach in the German health system. Free testing has been one of Germany's "great strengths" in the coronavirus crisis, he said.
Spahn spoke out in favour of making tests obligatory also for third country nationals entering the EU. But for this, a common European solution is needed, said the CDU politician. So far, the only obligation for third country nationals is quarantine.
READ ALSO: Can you be forced to take a coronavirus test after returning to Germany from a risk country?
A warning against tourist travel outside the EU is still in place in Germany until August 31st.
'The pandemic is not over yet'
For the first time since May, the RKI reported on Thursday over a thousand infections within one day. With 1,045 new cases, the total number rose to over 213,000. Spahn spoke of a "worrying increase in the number of infections".
He said the increased coronavirus case numbers were also down to the expansion of testing.
Around 195,000 people are now considered to have recovered from coronavirus in Germany.
In view of the rise, Spahn appealed for people to stick to the rules.
"Let's stay alert, let's follow the rules." Where the virus has a chance, it spreads and doesn't consider the holiday season, Spahn warned.
Keeping your distance, wearing a mouth and nose cover, washing your hands is a "small price to pay", considering how quickly the pandemic could spread, he said.
READ ALSO: 'Target clusters and superspreaders': Here's how Germany could prevent a second coronavirus wave
Spahn added that the situation has been kept under control in Germany "because we were level-headed, and vigilant", but that no-one should lull themselves into a false sense of security.
At the moment, several small outbreaks have been reported following family celebrations or in the workplace.
"The pandemic is not yet over," Spahn continued. Now the holidays are slowly coming to an end, many people are returning from vacation. Therefore, there is a danger that the number of infections will continue to rise.
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