The infections in Germany are increasing.

Do citizens think about vacation?

Timo Kotowski

Editor in business.

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Yes, more than at the same time a year ago.

The travel market researcher TDA determined for the end of September that bookings with tour operators are 75 percent above the previous year's level.

The gap to the normal level of winter 2019/2020 decreased to 50 percent.

By opening destinations on other continents, travel providers expect additional impetus.

Jamaica, Cuba and other states in the Caribbean are no longer considered high-risk areas due to falling corona numbers, Thailand and the USA have reopened for vaccinated people.

The travel group TUI reported on the opening of the United States of a "clear catch-up effect", bookings for Christmas shopping in New York or beach holidays in Florida increased.

Do virologists think long-distance travel is justifiable?

The virologist Alexander Kekulé spoke about this at the annual meeting of the German Travel Association (DRV) at the beginning of November. Long-distance travel is “responsible”, he said there. There is no longer any reason to forego long-distance travel as a matter of principle. Nevertheless, he did not want to give a license for the swarming out. The decisive factor is always the situation at the destination. This also means that proper hygiene concepts are implemented there. He sees the tour operator's duty to make sure of that. At the same time, Kekulé admitted that when traveling long-distance he had "a bit of a pain in the air when flying". He did not approve of suggestions from the international aviation association IATA to introduce 2-G concepts on flights (only vaccinated and convalescent people on board) and, in return, to drop the mask requirement. If these were implemented,Vaccinated persons should also continue to wear an FFP2 mask of their own accord.

What does the federal government say about travel?

The Federal Foreign Office continues to warn against traveling to high-risk areas and virus variant areas.

The category of the simple risk area had been abolished months ago.

There is no longer a general travel warning for countries that were classified there in the past.

However, the Federal Foreign Office urges “special caution when traveling”.

Anyone taking a vacation should keep track of information about the pandemic before and during the trip.

Which travel destinations are considered high risk or virus variant areas?

Among the traditionally more popular destinations, Turkey and Egypt are among the high-risk areas.

Anyone planning a vacation in Antalya or Hurghada should therefore note that the Foreign Office warns against "unnecessary, tourist trips" there.

The USA, too, continues to fall as a high-risk area despite the country's opening to vaccinated and recovered Europeans.

The Robert Koch Institute publishes an updated list of countries and regions every Friday; 66 states are currently named in whole or in part.

No country is currently classified as a virus variant area.

Should the winter vacation be better spent in Germany?

Every traveler has to answer that for himself.

The fact that it is easier to get medical help in an emergency - also because there is no language barrier or it is possible to drive home in your own car - speaks in favor of a domestic trip.

Before long air journeys, it should also be borne in mind that the mask does not have to be worn temporarily on board, but for many hours at a time.

Many other countries, however, have much lower incidences than local holiday regions.

Several Bavarian districts on the edge of the Alps have exceeded the threshold of 800 new infections within seven days per 100,000 inhabitants.

In the Canary Islands the comparative value is below 50. In the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, the incidence is around 60, for Thailand a value of 79 was given at the beginning of the week.

Is a negative test enough for the vacation?

Or is a vaccination necessary?