The Federal Ministry of the Interior today handed over the online entry application to the Federal Ministry of Health for general release. The web application replaces the previous paper-based Public Health Passenger Locator Form. The app will be available for worldwide use on all electronic devices, such as desktops, tablets and smartphones.

In accordance with the model ordinance on quarantine presented in the Federal Cabinet yesterday, travellers returning from a coronavirus risk area must register electronically before entering Germany. With the entry application, the public health office responsible for the traveller's destination will have the necessary information to monitor compliance with the quarantine requirement. As soon as the new ordinance on quarantine is put into effect by the federal states, currently planned for 8 November, the application can go into operation. 

Federal Minister Seehofer said: "We need the active cooperation of the public in the fight against the pandemic. People rightly expect this cooperation to be made as easy as possible. With the digital entry application, we are finally putting an end to the paper chaos in the responsible authorities."

The Federal Ministry of the Interior made the application available in just eight weeks of development. The greatest challenge was to connect the more than 370 health offices in the districts and enable secure data transmission. The software was developed in accordance with the technical specifications of the Federal Ministry of Health together with technology partner Bundesdruckerei GmbH.