The borders within Europe are open again and travel is possible again. Even if many nations were successful in the fight against Corona – holidaymakers should know the current situation in the respective country before they travel. We show what it currently looks like in the most popular holiday countries.
Since the borders within Europe are open again and the Federal Foreign Office lifted its travel warning for 27 European countries on June 15th, Germans' desire to travel has increased. But the corona virus is not yet out of the world: So holidaymakers should get precise information about the situation on site before getting in the car or booking a flight. Because this can also change quickly.
In all of our favorite countries, there are still new infections every day – in some countries now under ten, but in others still in the three-digit or even four-digit range. We took a close look at the Germans' favorite destinations in Europe and show what the current infection situation looks like – and where you should be careful.
Spain: Travelers must show QR code upon entry, strict mask requirement in the Balearic Islands
Spain, with just under 250,000 infected and an extremely high number of victims, which is more than 28,000, is one of the worst countries in Europe affected by corona. The situation eased somewhat in May and June, and now the number of infections is rising again slightly. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the number of new infections on Monday across the country was 2045 (as of July 14). For comparison: A week earlier (July 6th), Spain registered only 1,200 new infections.
Since June 21, holidaymakers from the EU and the Schengen countries have been allowed to enter Spain again without restrictions. Before starting your journey, you must fill out an online form, in which you must enter your name, passport number, flight details and an email address. The traveler then receives a QR code, which must be shown when entering the border.
Upon entry, there is a visual check of the state of health and the temperature is measured – it must not be higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius. If there is suspicion of corona, the traveler is hospitalized. According to travelers, there are no controls on departure.
From this week, a strict mask requirement applies to Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands – even outdoors. A mask that covers the mouth and nose must therefore also be worn if the safety distance of at least one and a half meters from strangers can be maintained. There are exceptions on the beach, at the pool, while eating and drinking, and during sports. Such an extensive mask requirement already exists in Catalonia and Extremadura. Other Spanish regions want to follow.
Italy: The focus of infection is limited to local sources of fire
Italy was hit even worse than Spain with a total of more than 35,000 deaths – and more than 243,000 registered cases. But the situation has improved enormously: According to the ECDC, the number of newly infected people reported on Monday is only 234 nationwide and nine deaths (as of July 14). The focus of infection is limited to local sources of fire. These still include Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Veneto.
Travelers from the EU or the Schengen area can enter Italy without restrictions. Unlike visitors from non-EU countries, you do not have to be in quarantine. You can move freely within the country. Masks are mandatory in shops, trains or other closed rooms. Distance rules must be observed on beaches.
The tourism industry is urgently dependent on the income from vacationers. With around seven million holidaymakers, Germany has the most foreign guests in the Mediterranean state. The loss of revenue in tourism has so far amounted to around 20 billion euros.
France: From Wednesday the Eiffel Tower can be visited again
The Grand Nation was also badly hit by Corona – with almost 200,000 infected and almost 30,000 dead. In the meantime, according to the Federal Foreign Office, the "orange" warning level in France only applies to the overseas regions of Mayotte and Guyana, and the rest of the country is classified as "green".
Travelers from Germany can therefore enter France without any problems. A quarantine or special documents are not necessary. The number of infections has recently risen again slightly: According to the ECDC, the number of new cases reported on Saturday is 658 (July 14).
Masks are mandatory on public transport. Shops and other facilities decide whether to wear a mask. Museums and sights have reopened in Paris – tickets usually have to be booked online beforehand. The beaches in the country are open again.
Many restaurants in Paris, for example, have enlarged their terraces so that people can keep enough distance. From Wednesday, tourists can also visit the Eiffel Tower again. The opening of Paris Orly Airport has also been announced for Friday. All stations on the Paris Metro are open again.
Austria: Everything under control with the neighbors
Holidays in Austria are also possible again. The country has lifted all entry restrictions to its neighboring countries since June 4, with the exception of Italy. It is particularly important for German tourists that controls at the border with Italy, for example at the Brenner, are no longer required. Anyone who comes from the Gütersloh district must expect controls in the border area and should be able to show a negative corona test.
In Austria itself, public life has continued to normalize. Since June 15th, the wearing of mouth and nose protection is only compulsory in buses and trains, in pharmacies, medical practices and clinics as well as for employees in some service professions. The only federal state with a general mask requirement in public spaces is Upper Austria. The reported new infections are relatively low and, according to the ECDC, were 52 cases and two deaths on Monday (as of July 14).
Croatia: Attention, infection numbers are increasing
Entry into Croatia is possible for German citizens. Vacationers only have to enter their contact details. However, the country heavily dependent on tourism on the Adriatic Sea with its long coastline has recently seen increasing numbers of infections.
By comparison, the infection rate in the country is still low – according to the ECDC, there were 50 new infections and one death on Monday (as of July 14). So far, the focus has been on the capital city of Zagreb and Central Dalmatia.
Greece: Registration is required 24 hours before arrival
Similar to Croatia, Greece got through the first phase of the pandemic well thanks to an early and severe lockdown. That is why the country advertises itself as a safe travel destination. According to the ECDC, Greece had a total of 3800 infected and 190 dead (as of July 14th).
Travelers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and most EU countries can travel to Greece by plane. However, you must register electronically at least 24 hours before arrival and indicate where you were before and where you will be in Greece. An algorithm then calculates whether and which travelers have to take a corona test after their arrival.
After several imported Corona cases, the Greek government tightened its controls on the border with Bulgaria. The borders with Serbia have already been closed because numerous infections have also been registered there. Masks are mandatory in all public transport and hospitals. It is also advised everywhere to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from other people.
Portugal: Warning, the curve is going up again
Portugal was not nearly as badly affected by Corona compared to Spain. According to the ECDC, the number of total infections was over 46,800 and a death toll of 1,660 (as of July 14th). However, the curve in the country is moving up again. The cities of Porto and Lisbon, including the surrounding area, are hardest hit.
The pandemic flares up here every now and then. A two-week lockdown for large parts of the greater Lisbon area has been in effect since July 1st. The center of the capital, popular with tourists, is not affected. Overall, the same rules apply in Portugal as in Spain. The temperature is measured upon entry, and travelers are asked if they are suspected. Nothing is known about problems when returning to Germany.
Turkey: Risk area – travel warning is still valid until August 31
For Turkey as a non-EU country, the Foreign Office's travel warning applies until August 31. The country hopes that this will be lifted soon. The third most popular holiday country of the Germans is currently classified as a corona risk area, so the lifting of the travel warning is unlikely. People entering Germany from a risk area have to expect a 14-day quarantine. However, holidaymakers from Turkey can be exempted from the quarantine regulation if they have a negative corona test that is not older than 48 hours when entering Germany.
After entering Germany from Turkey there is no longer a quarantine requirement. However, the temperature is measured at the airport. If symptoms occur, a corona test can be carried out – the Turkish Ministry of Health then decides how to proceed. There is a safety margin on the beaches, there are only pre-packed towels at the pool, and thermal cameras are used in airports and hotels. The government has developed a certification program for restaurateurs and hotels. German companies also provide inspectors.
Tourism is also one of the most important economic sectors for Turkey. According to official information, more than five million Germans went on vacation in Turkey last year. Ankara has been promoting German tourists for whom the holiday resort of Antalya is particularly popular for some time.
The country has so far had more than 214,000 and 5300 deaths from total infections. According to the ECDC, more than 1,000 new cases and 19 deaths were recorded on Monday (as of July 14th).
Netherlands: It is essential to book holiday accommodation and sights in advance
The holiday in Holland is possible again: "Tourists from countries with comparable low health risks as our country are welcome to the Netherlands this summer," writes the government. And that certainly applies to the German neighbors. However, the authorities warn that holiday accommodation must be reserved in advance. This also applies to restaurants, museums and many other sights.
The neighboring country had 51,000, according to Johns Hopkins University
Infected and 6137 dead. In view of falling infection numbers, the situation has eased considerably. Nevertheless, the basic rule remains in public life, including in shops and on beaches: a safety distance of 1.5 meters. A mask is mandatory on public transport. Tourists should not use the bus, train or metro if possible at peak times.
With material from dpa and KNA