In many holiday countries, the number of infections is rising again. Some European countries that were previously considered safe could soon become risk areas. We show where the risk of infection increases and what holidaymakers can expect in this case.
Since many European countries have reopened their borders to tourists, the joy of regained freedom of travel has been great. But it seems that it only lasts for a short time. Because exactly the case that many experts feared is now occurring: The number of infections in many popular travel destinations such as Croatia, Spain, Portugal and Austria is rising again.
When do travelers have to be in quarantine
For vacationers, this means not only an increased risk of infection, but also possibly a quarantine after their return, if the country is in the short term due to sharply rising numbers than Risk area is classified.
The quarantine period is usually 14 days and is subject to the regulations of each individual federal state. Only those who can present a negative Sars-CoV-2 test that is not older than 48 hours upon entry are exempt from quarantine.
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Which criteria apply for classification as a risk area
The Federal Ministry of Health decides from when a country is classified as a risk area in cooperation with the Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior for Building and Home Affairs. The criteria not only include increasing numbers of infections of more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within the last seven days, but also an analysis of the type of outbreak – whether local or area-wide. Likewise, the test capacities as well as the measures such as hygiene and contact restrictions for containment on site are considered for the classification.
According to information from the Foreign Office, the classification is checked every two weeks; if action is required, this is done more often, so that changes can be made at short notice.
Rising numbers of infections: this is how high the risk is in European holiday countries
Vacationers should inform themselves about the risk status of the respective vacation country before departure. A list of all corona risk areas can be found below in the article.
Here is the current overview of some travel countries in Europe that currently not fully classified as risk countries be valid. In some countries, however, the RKI classified individual regions as corona risk areas.
Spain: travel warning – except for the Canary Islands
Holidaymakers from the EU and the Schengen states may continue to travel to Spain without restrictions, but due to the increased corona numbers, Germany has declared the country, with the exception of the Canary Islands, a risk area and issued a travel warning for the popular holiday island of Mallorca.
For returnees from risk areas, it has generally been the case for several weeks now that they have to report to the health department. There is also an obligation to test when returning home.
Overall the number of New infections within the last 7 days were 43,241, the incidence was 92.12 and thus above the RKI threshold.
(Example calculation: 43,241 cases: 46,940,000 inhabitants x 100,000 = 92.12)
Incidence describes the rate of new cases of corona. In other words: How many people in a defined population (for example in Germany) will become ill with it in a certain period of time (7 or 14 days).
The RKI classifies countries or regions as risk areas if there have been more than 50 newly infected people per 100,000 inhabitants there in the past seven days – i.e. an incidence of 50 has been exceeded.
Croatia: Partial travel warning
Although the popular holiday destination on the Adriatic initially got through the crisis well, the number of infections has recently risen sharply. As a result, on August 20, the Foreign Office issued a travel warning for two southern administrative districts in Croatia, the so-called Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia counties.
Germans and citizens from other EU countries are allowed to enter the country without having to provide evidence of specific reasons. At the border, travelers only have to explain where they will be and how they can be reached. This should be able to find them if there are new corona infections in their area. A corresponding form can be downloaded from the Internet before departure. Distance rules apply to the beaches, overcrowding should be prevented. A mask is required in shops and public transport.
The number of New infections within the last 7 days at 1,480, the incidence at 36.47.
Read also: How a phenomenon turned Croatia from a corona model country into a risk area
France
Infections with Sars-CoV-2 have also increased again in France. Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhône department were recently classified as zones where the virus is actively circulating. This means that the regional authorities can restrict public life there.
Since the number of new infections has risen recently, in many cities of the country – including Paris – mask compulsory in some places outdoors. In Toulouse, a mask must be worn outdoors throughout the urban area. The mask is mandatory across the country in public transport and closed public spaces such as shops. Tickets for many attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre in Paris are limited so that visitors can keep enough distance. Tickets usually have to be reserved or purchased online in advance.
France shows with 22,597 New infections at an incidence of 33.73 within the last 7 days no low numbers, but is still below the limit value as a risk area.
Austria
The number of infections in Austria has recently risen sharply again, especially in Vienna. In contrast, other federal states are significantly less affected. A mask is required in supermarkets, pharmacies and on all public transport.
Entry from Germany is possible without any problems – as long as you have not been in one of the 30 identified corona risk areas in the ten days before (including the entire Spanish mainland, Croatia, the countries of the Western Balkans, but also Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden, the USA and Russia). Travelers from these areas must prove a negative PCR test or catch up in quarantine, unless they just want to drive through Austria without stopping. There are controls at the borders with Slovenia, Hungary and Italy.
Overall the number of Newly infected in the country within the last 7 days at 1,883, the incidence at 21.25.
Sweden
The Swedes have in the meantime got a grip on their relatively high death and infection rates for a long time. Nevertheless, the number of new infections is still higher than in Germany. Among other things, this ensures that they cannot travel as freely within Scandinavia and Europe as some others.
The Swedish borders, on the other hand, are open to EU citizens – you can travel by plane, ferry or car across the Öresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö, and there are no restrictions within the country either.
The number of New infections within the last 7 days at 1,774, the incidence at 17.34.
Portugal
For a long time Portugal was considered one of the countries in Europe that got through the crisis comparatively well and with low numbers of contagion and victims. For a few weeks, however, an increase in new infections has been recorded, especially in the greater Lisbon area, when the situation there has recently eased slightly and the lockdown has been lifted in several suburbs of the capital – which are less visited by tourists.
There are no entry restrictions for Germans. However, visitors must provide information about the destination and accessibility during their stay in the country, among other things. In addition, the body temperature is measured. There is no general requirement to wear a mask outdoors, but more and more cities and regions such as Madeira have ordered this regionally.
With a Number of new infections of 1,471 and an incidence of 14.3 within the last 7 days However, Portugal is not considered a risk area.
Greece
Entry from Germany is permitted. After the increased number of infections, the Greek government has ordered extensive restrictions for numerous holiday areas and cities, most recently the Chalkidiki peninsula and the jet set island of Mykonos were among them. Celebrations, parties, religious celebrations and weekly markets are initially prohibited there until August 31. In addition, gatherings of more than nine people are prohibited. All bars and taverns must close at midnight.
Travelers to Greece must register electronically at least 24 hours before arrival and indicate where they have been before and where they will be. A mask is required for all closed facilities. On the beaches, the parasols must be at least four meters apart. Masks must always be worn on ferries – even on the open decks. Greece has a low number of infections with the coronavirus compared to its 10.5 million inhabitants. However, the number of infected people has recently risen suddenly.
Nationwide lies the number of New infections in 1,523 within the last 7 days, the incidence at a comparatively low 14.21.
Bulgaria: Partial travel warning
The number of newly infected people in Bulgaria has been increasing significantly for some time. The Federal Foreign Office therefore warns against tourist travel in some regions of Bulgaria, including the tourist stronghold of Varna with the golden sands resort popular with German party tourists. Blagoevgrad and Dobrich are also affected.
Many large hotels in the seaside resorts on the Black Sea are still closed anyway because it is uncertain how many guests they can expect. The hotels that are already open have adjusted to protective measures – such as greater distance between tables and chairs. Due to the rapidly increasing number of cases, mouth and nose masks are again mandatory in shared closed rooms – for example in supermarkets, pharmacies, authorities and churches. Night clubs are also allowed to open the interior areas, but even there if there is one guest per square meter.
The number of New infections were 798 within the last 7 days, the incidence was 11.4 clear below the limit.
Great Britain
Travelers from Germany and several dozen other states and territories can come to Great Britain again without restrictions. A list of such "travel corridors" is constantly updated. Every person entering the country must submit a comprehensive online form with their contact details, among other things.
Whether choosing the travel corridors or wearing a mask: in Great Britain each part of the country decides on its own measures to fight the pandemic. Britain is the worst hit country in Europe by the pandemic in terms of death toll. A high number of unreported cases is expected. The number of new infections has skyrocketed again in several areas, such as the north of England. Therefore there are locally limited contact restrictions.
The number of New infections within the last 7 days at 7,363 and the incidence at 11.05.
Italy: The situation in the former Corona hotspot has stabilized
In the former Corona hotspot Italy has now stabilized the situation. Although the number of infections rose recently, they were below the values in Germany.
In shops, trains and other closed rooms, a mask is required until September. Respiratory protection must also be worn from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in squares and in front of bars where people often stand together. All discos – also outdoors – are tight. Large gatherings are forbidden, the police often intervene in the piazza. Distance rules should be observed on beaches. In the bars and restaurants, many innkeepers have almost completely set their tables outside.
In Italy the number of New infections within the last 7 days is 4,698 and a comparatively low incidence of 7.78.
Also read: If your travel destination becomes a risk area: What holidaymakers need to know
Tests are free of charge: the federal government pays corona tests for all travelers returning
The federal government is financing the planned additional test options for the corona virus for those returning to Germany. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health in Berlin said the costs would be covered by an increased subsidy for statutory health insurance.
The relevant ordinance has already entered into force. The heads of the federal and state departments had previously decided on voluntary tests for all returnees from abroad, which should be free of charge for travelers.
Test obligation for travelers from risk areas
In addition, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) has ordered a test for returnees from international risk areas with high case numbers.
These countries are risk areas
The worldwide travel warning issued by the Federal Foreign Office is still in effect until August 31, preventing unnecessary travel to all countries with the exception of most EU countries and the Schengen-associated countries Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as well as Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican State advises against it.
It is not forbidden to travel to these countries, but in an emergency, vacationers on site could find themselves in a difficult position due to difficult entry and travel conditions as well as lockdowns.