PCS Town Hall Q&A Page 3 | a s o f M a y 2 6 , 2 0 2 1
9) Q: What is the current quarantine process for families PCSing into Germany? Are we in temp
housing? A hotel? Do we have to quarantine in Ramstein upon arrival off the Patriot Express or will
we be taken all the way to our new duty station for quarantine?
9) A: Check the Re-open Europa website as well as the airline’s guidelines as rules change
frequently. Currently, all new Families/Soldiers will be under 10 days of quarantine upon arrival to
Germany. However, that policy is likely to change after 30 June 2021. There is one exception:
vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and have proof or
either, you will not have to quarantine. If your spouse is fully vaccinated, they will not have to
quarantine either. However, anyone in your family who is eligible to receive the vaccine but hasn’t yet
must quarantine. By the time you arrive, all quarantine situations will occur at either your new home at
the gaining location, your off-post home (if authorized), or the lodging/hotel at your destination. When
you get off the Patriot Express and check in with the Ramstein Gateway, they will coordinate for your
transportation to your destination. Your sponsor should have all of the latest details and again, check
the Re-open Europa website as well as the airline’s guidelines.
10) Q: Although we would normally take commercial aircraft for our PCS, should we make plans to
take the Patriot express instead (commercial is much easier from our location, however)?
10) A: All Service Members (Soldiers, DA Civilians, DA Contractors, and Family Members) are
required to fly to Germany on the Patriot Express unless you receive a waiver for extenuating
circumstances from your chain of command. See AE Command Memorandum 2020-021 for more
information. Your local SATO office and your unit will assist you with arranging travel from your
current duty station or location to the Patriot Express.
11) Q: What will be the projected process for those PCSing to Germany this summer? Quarantine,
testing, etc.?
11) A: All airline passengers entering Germany must present proof of a negative test result. This can
be from the PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, or via an antigen rapid test taken no
more than 24 hours prior to arrival. This is regardless of whether or not you are vaccinated. It is
imperative that you stay in contact with your unit and sponsor to understand the requirements and be
flexible. Check the Re-open Europa website as well as the airline’s guidelines as rules change
frequently.
12) Q: What are the current mask-wearing requirements both on- and off-post?
12) A: Currently, all non-vaccinated personnel over the age of six must wear a mask while indoors at
DoD facilities. At most garrisons, they are not required while outdoors. However, if you are fully
vaccinated (at least 14 days after your final dose) you are no longer required to wear a mask indoors
or outdoors at DoD facilities. Most European countries still have rules for wearing masks on public
transportation, in stores, and in busy outdoor places where minimum distance cannot be kept at all
time. They may also require a FFP2, KN95/N95 mask or surgical mask. Check with your sponsor,
check the host nation’s policies and check our Coronavirus webpage for more information.