Risk of contagion on vacation: this is how you can minimize it

Increasing numbers
These are the contagion hotspots on vacation

While the 7-day incidence in Germany is fortunately still in the single-digit range, the number of corona cases is skyrocketing again in popular holiday countries such as Spain, Greece, Cyprus or Malta. In Greece it is currently 115, which has led the government to issue a ban on dancing, Spain is about to be declared a high incidence area, and Malta, which lured holidaymakers into the country with bonuses in June, is abandoning it Wednesday only twice vaccinated on the island.

Anyone who is on holiday in the Mediterranean should therefore avoid certain situations in order to minimize the risk of infection. Since the corona virus spreads primarily through the air, social distancing and being outdoors are known to significantly reduce the risk of infection – on vacation as well as at home. This means: hiking, cycling or swimming in the sea is not very dangerous as long as the paths and beaches are not hopelessly overcrowded – on the other hand, dancing the night away in clubs is not a good idea.

Getting there: car, plane, train or long-distance bus?

If you go with the automobile on vacation, you are on the safe side when it comes to infection when you arrive. That too To fly is considered to be relatively unproblematic. Last year, a study by the Goethe University in Frankfurt showed that the likelihood of infection above the clouds is rather low. However, it should not be forgotten that the way to the plane is usually via public transport or taxis and a potentially very crowded airport. Therefore, you should wear an FFP2 mask when you are out and about.

According to several studies, the risk of infection is in the train also rather low, since “the high proportion of fresh air with which the air conditioning system in the ICE works significantly dilutes the concentration of the aerosols,” reported the German Aerospace Center (DLR) after a study in a test ICE that was fully occupied with 74 dummies. A long-term study by the Charité and Deutsche Bahn has also shown that train attendants are not infected more often than colleagues without customer contact. According to a Chinese study, however, the risk of infection on the train seems to be relatively high if you are sitting near infected people. In the train, as in other rooms, the following applies: the more distance you can keep from fellow passengers, the better.

Also Long-distance coaches usually have good air conditioning systems that enrich the indoor air with fresh air from the outside.

Risk of infection on vacation: hotels, restaurants, clubs

It is well known that the risk of infection is highest in closed rooms where there are many people. In one hotel with a good hygiene concept that consistently enables social distancing, the risk should not be very great. Our summer vacation benefits us from spending a lot of time in the fresh air and mostly being able to eat outside.

The risk of infection is unevenly distributed indoors: According to a study by the TU Berlin, the risk factor is in Theaters, operas, museums and at hair stylist lowest, provided everyone wears a mask. A Supermarket visit wearing a mask is about as risky as a movie screening, where a third of the seats are occupied and no one is wearing a mask. A visit to a half full restaurant can be a lot more dangerous.

Especially in Bars and Clubs Caution is advised, as many people come together here, who usually do not have permanent seats, are in a party mood and drink alcohol, which often leads to great physical closeness. So it is hardly surprising that the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) views these places most critically. If you postpone dancing and partying a little longer or at least move it outside, your risk of infection will be significantly reduced.

Swell: NDR.de, RTL.de, FR.de

Brigitte