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 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 classified as a risk area for a short time due to sharply increasing numbers. 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.
Rising numbers of infections – this is the risk in European holiday countries
Vacationers should therefore inform themselves about the risk status of the respective vacation country before departure. Here is the current overview of some travel countries in Europe that currently not are considered risk countries.
Croatia: Although the popular holiday destination on the Adriatic initially got through the crisis well, the number of infections has recently risen sharply. Regional focuses are the capital Zagreb and its surrounding area as well as Slavonia and Split-Dalmatia. The number of New infections within the last 14 days is 1,196, the incidence is 29.5.
(Example calculation: 1196: 4,058,000 inhabitants x 100,000 = 29.5.)
Austria: The number of infections has been rising again since the beginning of July. The capital Vienna reports the most acute infections with 484 cases. They are similarly high at 480 in the federal state of Upper Austria, which also includes St. Wolfgang, which is currently developing into a corona hotspot. In the federal states of Carinthia and Tyrol, on the other hand, the corona situation is much more relaxed: At 14 and 48, you are currently reporting very little. Overall, the number of newly infected people in the country within the last 14 days is 1,967, the incidence is 22.2. After the rise in the corona numbers in Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wants stricter controls on those returning from vacation at the borders.
Sweden: The Scandinavian country, which became known for its special way in the matter of Corona and has avoided a hard lockdown, shows 3,872 new infections with an incidence of 37.9 within the last 14 days no low numbers, but is still below the limit value as a risk area. The regional focus is currently on Gävleborg and Jönköping.
Portugal: Compared to its neighboring country Spain, Portugal came through the crisis comparatively well. For a few weeks, however, there has been a worrying increase in new infections, especially in the greater Lisbon area. In several suburbs of the capital – which are less visited by tourists – there was a lockdown until the end of July. With a Number of new infections of 2,671 and an incidence of 26.0 within the last 14 days However, Portugal is not considered a risk area.
Bulgaria: The number of newly infected people in Bulgaria has been increasing significantly for some time. The capital Sofia is particularly hard hit. Regional focuses are also Blagoevgrad, Varna, Dobrich and Kjustendil. The number of New infections was 2,497 and an incidence of 35.7 within the last 14 days still below the limit.
Italy: In the former Corona hotspot Italy, the situation has improved extremely. Since June, the number of newly infected people has fluctuated between 200 and 300 per day, and there are rarely outlier days with significantly more new cases. The authorities had recently reported smaller, local outbreaks in Calabria, for example. Overall, however, the situation in Italy has stabilized: The number of New infections within the last 14 days is 5,606 and an incidence of 9.2.
France: Infections with Sars-CoV-2 have also increased again in France. On Thursday and Friday last week, the authorities reported more than 1,000 new infections on two consecutive days for the first time since May.
The departments Seine-Saint-Denis near Paris and Mayenne in the north-west of the country, where last week with 50.1 corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the limit value was exceeded for the first time since the lockdown, counts a particularly high number of infections. Nationwide are the New infections at 27,767 and a high incidence of 41.5.
Greece: Hellas lies with 3.6 new cases within the last 14 days far from the limit. Most of the infections are in the greater Athens area and in the Xanthi region in the northeast of the country.
Great Britain: The United Kingdom is still badly affected – the regional focus is in Wales and the north of the country. A regional lockdown applies to the city of Leicester. According to ECDC, however, the total number of New infections within the last two weeks at 13,670 and the incidence at 20.5 and thus far below the border to the risk country.
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. Test capacities as well as on-site containment measures such as hygiene and contact restrictions are also taken into account for the classification.
According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, the classification is checked every two weeks, but if there is a need for action, this is done more often, so that changes can be made at short notice.
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 coronavirus 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 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.