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Southern Europe: Rising corona numbers make entry difficult
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The travel news in the BRIGITTE.de ticker: ++ New risk areas identified ++ Rental cars are becoming scarce and expensive ++
Summer vacation 2021: All information and news about your trip
July 12, 2021: Spain, Cyprus and Malta – new RKI classifications
Because of the increasing number of infections, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has completely Spain declared a risk area again. In practice, this changes little for travelers, but a further tightening could be imminent in the near future. In view of the rapid increase in the number of infections, the RKI also leads Cyprus now as a high incidence area – this has, among other things, a travel warning and a quarantine obligation for non-vaccinated people. And the island nation Malta requires proof of vaccination from Wednesday due to the increased number of infections. Unvaccinated and recovered people are then no longer allowed to enter. All language schools have to close.
July 5, 2021: European regions declared risk areas again
The number of infections in Europe is rising again. With the island of Cyprus and the Spanish regions of Catalonia (which also includes Barcelona) and Cantabria, the federal government has put two other holiday areas on the list of corona risk areas. The same applies to the Norwegian provinces of Agder and Rogaland. The classification as a risk area means that the Federal Foreign Office advises against traveling there. In addition to the increased risk of infection, vacationers in these regions have little to fear, as air travelers have to be tested on arrival anyway, which means that the quarantine requirement is no longer applicable. Countries and regions in which the new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days (seven-day incidence) are over 50 are classified as risk areas.
June 29, 2021: Rental car prices are rising massively – book early!
Rental car prices are currently skyrocketing in popular holiday regions. Because of the uncertain demand in the pandemic, many landlords have reduced their allotments, so prices are now rising. In Sardinia a rental car currently costs around 128 euros a day, on Mallorca around 90 euros. According to ADAC, the prices are currently a little cheaper at just under 50 euros per day in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Rhodes. Tip: In any case, book the rental car as early as possible.
June 29, 2021: Portugal is virus variant area – what does that mean exactly?
Because of the rampant delta variant, the federal government has classified Portugal (as well as Russia) as virus variant areas from today – initially for two weeks. What does this mean in concrete terms for travelers?
Although there is no entry ban for the affected countries, the following applies: Anyone traveling back to Germany from Portugal, Russia or another virus variant area with immediate effect, must be in quarantine for two weeks – even those who have recovered and who have been completely vaccinated. It cannot be ended prematurely with a negative test. A negative antigen or PCR test is also required on the return journey (maximum 48 or 72 hours old). This must be presented before boarding the aircraft and will also be checked upon entry into Germany. The evidence must be uploaded via the entry portal.
How is the situation on site?
Two of the most popular regions in Portugal are currently affected by high numbers of infections: In the Algarve the 7-day incidence is over 170, in Lisbon it even rose to 210 at the weekend. The government has therefore reintroduced various restrictions (such as early closing time) or suspended planned easing. The capital has been cordoned off, it may only be entered or left for “good reason”.
Can I cancel my vacation in Portugal now?
Anyone who has booked a package tour should contact their tour operator to find out whether the trip will take place at all or whether a cancellation or rebooking is possible. The chances are not bad here, many organizers are accommodating. The situation is more difficult with individual trips, as there is no travel or accommodation ban and the trip can be started from a purely legal point of view.