Italy wants to reopen its borders to tourists from June 3rd. Then the entry for EU citizens should be possible again – without having to go into quarantine afterwards. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio is in favor of a cross-border summer vacation: "Let's work towards the fact that we can all start together again: June 15th is a bit European D-Day for tourism," he told Rai on Tuesday. Austria has already confirmed that tourists can pass through to the Brenner if they cross Tyrol without a stay and can prove the planned vacation in Italy, for example by booking a hotel.
South Tyrol is currently promoting holidaymakers, especially from Germany. Governor Arno Kompatscher emphasized that Germans can pass through Austria. For German holidaymakers, entry is only possible without restrictions from June 3, but hotels are already open and can be booked. Compatibility even wants to offer tourists voluntary free corona tests. The regions of Veneto and Sardinia advertise that they are "covid-free" – meaning that the situation is under control, although of course there were also infections there.
What is currently allowed: Up to June 3, entry into Italy is only permitted if it concerns work-related trips, health reasons or absolute necessity. After entering the country, there is an obligation to report to the local Italian health authority and a 14-day quarantine. Health checks with temperature measurements are carried out at airports and ports, but also when entering and traveling overland.
In Germany: Travel warning is valid until June 14th
The worldwide travel warning still applies in Germany. Heiko Maas had last extended it until June 14th. It should then be in time for the start of the holiday season suspended for 31 European countries from June 15th will. Italy is one of them – provided the further development of the corona pandemic permits this.
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas would then like to replace the travel warning with individual travel advice. This should make vacations possible and at the same time ensure economic stability in the respective countries. Italy would be convenient: alongside Turkey and Spain, the country is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans.
Uniform hygiene rules are desirable
Consumer advocates, however, are calling for the most uniform European hygiene rules. They consider health protocols in hotels with distance rules to be necessary for the resumption of tourism. Buffets in hotels are prohibited. A wide range of disinfection options and sufficient medical treatment options for locals and tourists are also to be ensured.
Read all current developments in the corona pandemic in the FOCUS Online news ticker
Minimum distance for sun loungers, advance booking for beach bathing
Since May 18, cafes, bars and restaurants as well as hairdressing salons and boutiques have been allowed to reopen in Italy. Visits to museums and libraries are also permitted.
Distance rules apply to all activities. Masks are mandatory in closed rooms or where a minimum distance of one meter cannot be guaranteed.
On the beach, each parasol should have a space of ten square meters around it. Sun beds without a parasol must be 1.5 meters apart and disinfected after changing ownership. Advance bookings for access to lido are designed to prevent people from huddling too close together.
Lufthansa is already flying to Rome and Milan again
Air traffic to Italy is currently still severely restricted. A few connections with Lufthansa, Alitalia and Eurowings continue. Lufthansa, for example, regularly flies to Rome and Milan. In mid-June, the German airline also plans to include Bologna and Venice in its flight program again. Most recently, Eurowings' unsuccessful attempt to fly two passengers from Düsseldorf to Sardinia despite a ban on landing had made headlines.
Return to Germany: Observe the rules for quarantine
Holidaymakers should familiarize themselves with the current regulations on re-entering Germany on the Federal Foreign Office's website before they travel. At present, only a 14-day quarantine is recommended for people entering Germany from an EU country with a high infection rate.
Corona virus in Italy
Italy is considered the Corona focal point of Europe. 32,955 died of respiratory infection in the country. As a measure, the Italian government introduced one of the strictest curfews worldwide. The country can slowly breathe again: The number of new infections decreased recently (as of May 27).