Finally sun, sand and relaxation. This year, a carefree vacation seems to be possible – at least within the EU. With the digital vaccination certificate, there will be no tougher restrictions on entry and on vacation from July 1st.
With a simple quick test in English, proof of corona recovery or proof of vaccination, travelers should be able to move freely within the European Union. This is made possible by the digital vaccination certificate, which is actually a digital health certificate. The certificate is awarded to everyone who has been tested, recovered or vaccinated.
From July 1, many holiday countries will herald the official post-corona era. Apart from the mask requirement, hardly any restrictions should then apply. But until this date, different regulations that FOCUS Online lists for you will still apply.
Spain: Mask requirement and smoking ban at the table
Similar to Germany, the mask requirement in Spain applies in shops, restaurants and public transport.
And while consumers in Spain can sit back in the tapas bars or enjoy a juicy paella in the restaurant, smokers have to be careful where they light their cigarettes.
This is especially true for the holiday regions of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
There, for example, there is a sitting and walking ban for smokers. You must keep a sufficient distance from others in outdoor catering and are only allowed to light the glow stick while standing and at a distance of 1.5 meters from your table. Walking through the narrow streets of Ibiza and Mallorca with a cigarette is also prohibited.
The regulations initially apply until the end of June. From the beginning of July, Spain will herald the post-corona era. All restrictions – with the exception of the mask requirement – then no longer apply.
France: Mask compulsory and curfew from 11 p.m.
Cultural institutions, shops and restaurants have been reopened in France for a few weeks. A strict mask requirement applies in public spaces. For cinemas or concert halls, there are requirements such as a limited number of guests. At night there is a curfew from 11 p.m. throughout France.
Greece: curfew and € 300 fine for mask
Greek authorities have no mercy. On vacation in Greece, a strict mask requirement applies until further notice in closed rooms such as shops, authorities or in restaurants. Mouth and nose should also be covered on public transport (bus, train, tram, subway or taxi). Violations are punished with fines of up to 300 euros. Tourists transfer the fine by bank transfer.
In addition, there is a nightly curfew until the end of June, which starts at 1:30 a.m. and ends at 5 a.m. From July 1, the Greek government wants to lift all restrictions.
Italy: In many places curfews until at least the end of June
Apart from the spacing and mask rules, there are hardly any restrictions in regions of the so-called “zona bianca” (white zones). These include (as of June 14) the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Molise, Piedmont, the Autonomous Province of Trento, Sardinia, Umbria and Veneto.
The rest of Italy is known as the “zona gialla” (yellow zone). Tourists have to expect curfews between midnight and 5 a.m. until June 21st. Tourists are also prohibited from driving a car during this time.
On some beaches, travelers have to leave their contact details and even have a fever measured.
Austria: From now on curfew at midnight
In Austria there has been no mask requirement for outdoor areas for a few days. Only employees in the catering industry are required to wear a mouth and nose cover. The curfew has been extended from 10 p.m. to midnight. Nevertheless, guests need digital proof of testing, recovery or vaccination.
In Austria, the regulations should be completely abolished by July 1st at the latest.
What is true on the beach?
In Malta and in the popular holiday countries Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, the mask requirement also applies in many places outdoors – for example on the beach. At least if you walk along the promenade or want to jog there.
Those who treat themselves to sunbathing or just want to relax on the beach can take off the mask. A minimum distance of 1.5 to two meters is important in all holiday regions.
How many people are allowed to sit at a table now?
According to a current recommendation, only a maximum of 15 people are allowed to meet in public in Spain. Indoors, private meetings are limited to ten people. So if you want to have a drink with the tour group in the evening, you should pay attention to this rule.
In Portugal (as of June 10th) a maximum of six people are allowed to meet indoors. There are ten people in the outdoor areas.
In Austria there is an upper limit of eight people (excluding children) per table indoors and up to 16 people (excluding children) outdoors.