Corona aktuell: What vacationers need to know about the eleven risk areas

The federal government has declared eleven other regions of the EU to be risk areas for the coronavirus. What does the travel warning mean for the autumn vacation?

The corona pandemic is not over yet – if more, the number of infections is currently rising again in several countries. Now the federal government has reacted and declared eleven other regions within the EU to be risk areas.

This means that more than half of the EU countries are now affected. High infection rates were also reported in regions in Germany's direct neighbors, such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Denmark. The following countries and regions in Europe have now been newly classified as risk areas by the Robert Koch Institute:

11 new risk areas in Europe

  • Denmark: the Hovedstaden region is considered a risk area.
  • France: The regions of Brittany, Center-Val de Loire and Normandy are now also considered risk areas.
  • Ireland: the Dublin region is considered a risk area.
  • Croatia: Lika-Senj County is now also considered a risk area.
  • Netherlands: the province of Utrecht is now also considered a risk area.
  • Austria: the federal state of Vorarlberg is now also considered a risk area.
  • Portugal: the Lisbon region (metropolitan area) is considered a risk area.
  • Romania: the Covasna district is another risk area.
  • Slovenia: the Primorsko-Notranjska region (Coastal Inner Carniola) is a risk area
  • Czech Republic: the entire country with the exception of the regions of Aussiger Region (Ústecký) and the Moravian-Silesian Region (Moravskloslezský) is considered a risk area.
  • Hungary: the Györ-Moson-Sopron region is now also considered a risk area. (Source: RKI, as of September 24, 2020, 2 p.m.)

It should be noted with the list that in many cases not the whole country, but only certain regions are declared as risk areas in which there were corona outbreaks. As a rule, the rest of the country can therefore still be visited without worries. A current overview of the risk countries worldwide can also be found at the Robert Koch Institute.

Difference between risk area and travel warning

For classification as a risk area, a check is made to determine where more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants were counted within the last seven days. In these areas, there is therefore an increased risk of contracting the coronavirus. Anyone who comes from a risk area is currently obliged to take a corona test after returning and to go into quarantine at home until a negative result.

However, a travel warning does not necessarily apply to the risk areas. The latter is determined by the Federal Foreign Office. Even then, it is not forbidden to enter the country – however, it is explicitly not recommended. In the event of an official travel warning, bookings can also be canceled free of charge, but not yet with a declaration of the risk area.

Can I still go on vacation in a risk area?

In view of the upcoming autumn vacation, many people are now worried about their vacation. In principle, the following applies: A country can still be visited, even if it has been classified as a risk area. In addition, in many cases, as mentioned, only individual areas are affected, which at best can be avoided.

A holiday in the risk area does not have to fall into the water – however, travelers should be aware that they have to deal with certain consequences after returning home, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.

The corona situation is currently changing at a rapid pace. Therefore, before each trip, you should inform yourself again at the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Foreign Office about the infection process and corresponding warnings. Otherwise, the same applies at home as on vacation: Observe hygiene and distance rules and remain careful as before.

sources used:RKI, ZDF, Tagesschau, Federal Foreign Office