Vacation despite delta mutation? Where the incidence is rushing up now

The corona curves bend back up. In countries like Germany, it has been at a moderate level so far, but the trend is clear: there are more infections again.

This is due to the easing of the strict measures in recent months that has come into force in most countries. The more contagious Delta variant of the virus does the rest.

Vacation despite delta mutation? The overview of the most popular holiday countries

The numbers are particularly blatant at the moment Cyprus upwards. The island nation in the Mediterranean between Turkey and the African continent reported on Thursday 747 new cases per 100,000 population in one week. In comparison, that means a tripling of the cases within two weeks.

The Federal Foreign Office therefore classifies Cyprus, like Egypt, Tunisia or the Maldives, as a high incidence area. Anyone traveling back home from Cyprus must be in quarantine for ten days – or take a test after five days, which must be negative.

Cyprus, for its part, currently classifies Germany as green, i.e. harmless. Entry is therefore still possible for tourists without a test. The only requirement for newcomers is that it must be on the website at least 48 hours in advance www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy registration takes place and the then issued “Cyprus Flight Pass” must always be carried with you during the holiday.

In Great Britain and the Netherlands, major events drive the number of cases

The situation is also coming to a head Great Britain and the Netherlands. The The 7-day incidence is 364 and 336, respectively. Major events contribute to this in both cases: While in Great Britain hundreds of thousands have watched the European Championship matches in the stadium in the past few weeks and cheered close together without a mask – the coronavirus loves that – in the Netherlands on the first weekend of July almost 1000 people met at one Open-air festival infected with more than 20,000 visitors.

• Read more about the superspreading event in the Netherlands here.

After almost all measures had been lifted, the number of new infections in the Netherlands recently rose by 500 percent. After only two weeks, the government has now pulled the emergency brake and withdrew some of the reliefs. Discos and nightclubs are closed again, and festivals are also prohibited. Citizens are urged to keep a safe distance of 1.5 meters.

The Netherlands will be a risk area from Sunday

From Sunday, the Netherlands will therefore officially be considered a corona risk area from a German perspective. The Robert Koch Institute announced on Friday. From then on, anyone traveling back to Germany by land must again present a negative corona test or proof of an infection or vaccination.

Public life on site is still largely normal. Museums, theaters, zoos and cinemas are open. This also applies to restaurants and shops. Restaurants have to close at midnight. Mask requirement only applies to buses, trains and airports. At events where no safety distance can be kept, visitors are required to give a negative test result or proof of vaccination.

Britain, however, is sticking to its opening plan despite rising incidences. Almost all Corona restrictions are due to fall on July 19: distance rules and mask requirements are lifted, night clubs are allowed to open, and there are no longer any spectator restrictions for events. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is heavily criticized for this. His argument: The number of cases is increasing. However, the number of hospital admissions and deaths was significantly lower than in previous waves – a success of the advanced vaccination campaign.

Spain again risk area

Also reports a sharp increase in the number of cases Spain. After more and more provinces of the country recently moved to the list of regions designated by the RKI as risk areas, all of Spain is now a corona risk area. As in many other countries, the authorities here report many infected people, especially among the young age groups. The nationwide The 7-day incidence is given by the authorities as 304. That is more than five times what it was two weeks ago.

Despite the renewed designation of Spain as a corona risk area, travel has so far not been made difficult in fact. Holidaymakers returning by plane must continue to have complete vaccination protection, proof of recovery, or submit a negative test. The following applies to entering Spain: Tourists from Germany, which Spain no longer classifies as a risk area, can enter the country without a test or proof of vaccination.

The corona situation is currently tipping over in Malta

Also belonging to the countries in which Corona is rapidly on the advance again: Malta. With 184 is the incidence for the past seven days very high. And the number of cases is increasing rapidly: while the Maltese authorities reported six cases per week and 100,000 people two weeks ago, the number has increased by a factor of 30 since then.

The health authorities attribute the massive increase in the incidence to travelers from abroad. Therefore, since Wednesday tourists have to be able to prove that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19. A negative PCR test or a certificate that you have recovered from the disease are no longer sufficient. Those who have not been vaccinated and still travel to the country have to go to a quarantine hotel for 14 days.

More Covid patients in clinics again in Portugal

And also in Portugal the incidence has been rising for weeks. According to the RKI, the country is considered a high incidence area. On Thursday is the 7-day incidence officially at 159. The main concern of experts is the fact that the number of hospital patients with Covid-19 has recently increased more rapidly and is well over 700 for the first time since March.

The delta variant, which already accounts for more than 90 percent of new infections, is primarily responsible for the worsening of the situation. To curb the spread of the virus, a night-time blocking was reinstated at the beginning of July. In regions with a particularly bad location (including the metropolises of Lisbon and Porto), people are only allowed on the street between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. with good reason. This also applies to tourists.

Although the federal government warns against unnecessary tourist trips to the country, which is classified as a high incidence area, holidays in Portugal are still largely possible. Both when entering and returning to Germany, holidaymakers must provide proof of complete vaccination protection or recovery. Those who cannot do that have to be quarantined for ten days. Free testing is possible after five days.

Greece reports a lot of contagion in the nightlife

Significantly increasing values ​​also reports Greece. A few weeks ago, the south-eastern European country was one of the countries that ranked in the green Corona area. But now the incidence is going up sharply. The health authorities give them on Thursday 156 at.

Experts suspect that the increase is primarily due to relaxed rules for nightlife. Many Greeks who take advantage of this have not yet been vaccinated. The government has therefore issued a kind of dance ban again: Guests are only allowed to sit in bars and clubs. In addition, only those who have been vaccinated are allowed to stay in the closed rooms of restaurants, cinemas and theaters.

Greece will be declared a risk area by the Foreign Office from Sunday, just like the Netherlands. For the return journey to Germany by plane, however, a negative test or proof of vaccination is sufficient. Before entering Greece, visitors to Greece must visit the website www.travel.gov.gr Enter your details and receive a QR code for tracking. In addition, they must present a negative rapid test on entry or be fully vaccinated. This also applies to children from the age of twelve.

France is preparing for a possible fourth wave

And also in France the 7-day incidence increases. The French are far from values ​​like those in neighboring Spain, with 52 But the Mediterranean-Anreiner also breaks the 50 cases in one week, which has long been considered decisive.

Because the delta variant is already dominant, head of state Emmanuel Macron imposed stricter corona rules at the beginning of the week for fear of a fourth wave. From next Wednesday there will only be access to cultural institutions with proof of vaccination, test or recovery. From August this will also apply to long-distance trains, coaches, cafes, restaurants and shopping centers; Children are exempt from the regulation until the end of August. The vaccinations are to be promoted with it. Over half of the French population has been vaccinated at least once.

For travelers from Germany and other countries, an up-to-date quick test is sufficient to enter the country. People can also enter the country with proof of vaccination. Foreign tourists have to pay for tests in the country. A PCR test costs 49 euros and a rapid antigen test 29 euros. Those who travel back to Germany from France by land do not have to observe any entry restrictions. A negative test, vaccination certificate or proof of recovery must be presented when traveling by air.

In these countries the incidence is below 30

The situation is more relaxed in Croatia, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. They are all currently reporting one Incidence of less than 30 per 100,000 population (An exception is the Croatian coastal region of Zadar; according to the RKI, it is a risk area. Return travelers from there must present a negative test or proof of vaccination within 48 hours). There have been no extreme jumps so far.

However, the incidence is currently lowest in Germany at 9. No holiday country in Europe currently reports fewer cases per week than Germany. It is true that the cases are currently increasing again in this country; the R value on Thursday was 1.33 and thus well above 1. That means 100 infected people are currently infecting 133 new people. So far, however, it has been possible to avoid superspreading events.

However, experts also urge caution in this country. According to the RKI, the delta mutation now accounts for more than 60 percent of cases. Indoor meetings remained dangerous, as epidemiologist Timo Ulrichs recently told FOCUS Online. If you want the safest possible vacation in the second summer of the pandemic, it is probably best to go on vacation in your own country at the moment.