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Berlin (dpa) - Is it now possible to take a vacation despite the corona pandemic, at least in European countries?
Numerous countries such as Austria and Greece are dependent on the German visitors - and are already courting them.
The corona numbers are tending to decrease in most European countries, the vaccination rates are increasing - and the next easing is already within reach.
In particular, May 17th and 19th were chosen by some governments as deadlines for the next steps out of the lockdown.
Nevertheless: Currently, a trip abroad usually still involves major hurdles such as test obligations and quarantine rules.
An overview:
BALTIKUM: The shops are open again in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, in Estonia and Lithuania restaurateurs are again allowed to serve guests outside subject to conditions.
However, many cultural, leisure and entertainment venues are still closed, and indoor events are usually prohibited.
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According to the latest data from the EU authority ECDC, the 14-day incidence in all three countries is more than 400 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days, the numbers are slowly falling. In Estonia and Lithuania, a good quarter of the population has been vaccinated at least once, in Latvia around 14 percent have received a protective injection. Travelers from EU countries must generally show a negative test in Latvia and Lithuania and are subject to registration and quarantine requirements in all three countries. Entry to Latvia is still only possible with a valid reason; vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine in Estonia and Lithuania.
BELGIUM: As of May 4th, 27.9 percent of the population had been vaccinated once.
The number of corona cases has been falling for a few days.
Most recently, an average of 393.5 people per 100,000 inhabitants were infected within two weeks.
The shops in the country with around 11.5 million inhabitants are just as open as hairdressers.
From Saturday (May 8th), after a compulsory break for months, the outdoor catering can also reopen with four people per table.
Ten people wearing masks are allowed to meet privately outdoors.
Strict contact restrictions continue to apply to indoor meetings.
There are currently no relaxations for vaccinated people.
The government in Brussels strongly advises against tourist travel in and out of the country.
Anyone traveling from Germany to Belgium must be in quarantine - unless the stay is shorter than 48 hours.
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BULGARIA: In Bulgaria, the number of new corona infections has been falling continuously since mid-April.
Bars, shopping malls and fitness centers as well as theaters, cinemas and museums are reopened with certain conditions.
The hotels have been receiving guests again since the end of 2020.
A mask is required in public transport, pharmacies and supermarkets as well as in churches and communal areas.
Vaccinated, tested and recovered from Covid-19 are allowed to enter without quarantine.
This rule does not apply to travelers from India and other high-incidence areas.
In the Balkan country, the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants fell from 460 to 332 within two weeks.
With a population of 6.9 million people, almost 850,000 corona vaccine doses have been administered so far.
DENMARK: Shops in Denmark have long been open again.
Cafes, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve customers again - inside, however, only if the guests can prove a negative corona test, a complete vaccination or a survived infection via app.
The gym is also open again.
The number of new infections is stable, the seven-day incidence has been below 100 for weeks. Denmark is the only EU country to permanently refrain from using the vaccine from Astrazeneca, and the drug from Johnson & Johnson has now also been canceled.
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Germans who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and many other people from EU and Schengen countries - including tourists - have been allowed to return to Denmark since May 1st. In contrast to other travelers, they do not have to show any negative corona tests or reasons for entry such as visiting partners, and they do not have to test and quarantine after arrival. The condition is that the country of the travelers is at least an “orange state”, so the corona situation there is not too bad and there are no worrisome variants of the corona virus rampant. Germany is currently considered orange.
FRANCE: The neighboring country eased the measures a little on Monday.
People are now allowed to move more than ten kilometers away from their homes for no good reason - travel within the country is now possible again.
There is a nightly curfew from 7 p.m., which is to be postponed to 9 p.m. from May 19.
Then outside areas of restaurants as well as shops and cultural institutions should be allowed to reopen.
As of mid-October, around a quarter of the total population in the country had received at least one corona vaccination.
Most recently, almost 224 new corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants were counted nationwide in one week.
The number has been falling for weeks.
When entering France, a negative PCR test must be presented, which must not be older than 72 hours.
Travelers must also fill out a declaration on which they assure, for example, that they have no Covid-19 symptoms.
According to the Interior Ministry, travelers from Europe are allowed to enter France without “compelling reasons”.
Privileges for vaccinated people do not currently apply.
GREECE: Since Monday, cafes, bars and taverns have been allowed to open their outdoor areas in Greece under certain conditions - for all guests, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.
However, the catering closes at 10.45 p.m., after 11.00 p.m. there is an evening exit ban.
Travel within Greece is not possible without restrictions - but this requirement is to be lifted on May 15th.
From a German perspective, Greece is currently still a risk area, but the infection situation is easing. Visitors must enter their data online before entering the country. A complete vaccination or a PCR test that is not more than 72 hours old must then be presented upon entry. Fully vaccinated here means that the second vaccination was at least 14 days ago. There is no longer an obligation to quarantine. However, tourists should always find out about their exact travel destination. For example, a local lockdown was recently imposed again on the island of Kalimnos due to the high number of cases.
ITALY: The Mediterranean country has recently been on a gradual easing path.
Where the corona numbers are moderate, restaurants and bars are also allowed to serve outside at tables in the evening.
After 10 p.m. there is still an exit ban.
Museums and cinemas in the so-called yellow zones are already open.
From June 1st, people should be able to sit inside again in bars.
Italy is targeting June 2nd for the official start of the summer season.
How exactly the regulations for immigrants, including those who have been vaccinated, will look like in June is not yet entirely clear.
The corona numbers have recently fallen steadily.
More than 25 percent of the population have been vaccinated against corona at least once.
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In principle, holidays in Italy are possible, but the country still requires a quarantine of five days upon entry.
In addition, multiple tests apply - with a PCR test or a rapid antigen test before and after entry.
This regulation runs until mid-May.
Then a national “green vaccination pass” will be introduced so that people can travel freely within the country.
CROATIA: In Croatia, hotels and restaurants are allowed to receive guests outside.
Conditions apply.
It is compulsory to wear a mask in public indoor areas and outside wherever a distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained.
By May 3, 17.5 percent of the population had received a primary vaccination.
Those who meet the entry requirements can go on vacation in Croatia. To enter the country, Germans need either a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours, a negative antibody test that is not older than 48 hours, confirmation that they have survived Covid-19, or proof of a complete vaccination (The second vaccination must be at least 14 days ago. There are no further test requirements during the stay. Privileges for vaccinated persons are only granted upon entry.
MALTA: The island nation wants to open to international tourism from June 1st. The corona numbers have fallen sharply. From May 10th, restaurants in Malta will be able to welcome visitors again and serve them at tables until 5 p.m. The special thing: almost 50 percent of the total population have so far received at least one first corona vaccine dose. According to the Federal Foreign Office, travelers from Germany currently have to present a negative PCR test, which should not be older than 72 hours. How exactly the regulations will be in June, including for those who have been vaccinated, is not yet fully known.
NETHERLANDS: At the end of April, the first measures since the strict lockdown were relaxed again - despite the persistently high corona numbers. The curfew has been abolished, shops can again receive customers without an appointment and restaurants serve guests - subject to conditions and only outside from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The government suspended further easing for the time being. All events with an audience are still prohibited. Museums, cinemas and theaters remain closed. The seven-day incidence is still high and is around 300 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in one week. Of people aged 18 and over, around 40 percent received at least one dose of vaccine.
The Netherlands strongly advise foreign visitors not to travel on holiday.
If you still want to come, you have to show a negative corona test and go into quarantine for ten days.
If a second test is negative again, the quarantine ends.
Vaccinated people have no privileges.
AUSTRIA: On May 19th, restaurants, hotels, stages and sports facilities are allowed to reopen.
Access tests are provided as a protective measure.
Events are allowed outside with up to 3000 people and inside with up to 1500 people.
Almost a third of residents aged 16 and over have already received at least one dose of vaccine.
The seven-day incidence of 140 last is on the same level as in Germany.
With the opening steps, the quarantine for vacationers from Germany should also fall.
Vaccinated, tested and recovered from Covid-19 are allowed into the country.
The government plans to stop people from having to show tests three weeks after their first vaccination.
Nevertheless, from a German perspective, Austria is still a risk area.
A test and at least five days of quarantine are due on the return journey.
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POLAND: Shopping malls are reopened in Poland.
From Saturday (May 8), hotels should be able to accommodate guests again - up to an occupancy of 50 percent.
From May 15th, restaurants will be allowed to open their outdoor dining again, and inside from May 29th.
According to the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, around 12 of the 38 million Poles have been vaccinated, of which 3.1 million have been fully vaccinated.
When entering from Germany and other EU countries, a quarantine period of ten days applies. This does not apply to travelers who present a negative corona test upon arrival, which must not be older than 48 hours. Even those who have been fully vaccinated and those who have been proven to have recovered (illness within the past six months) are exempt from quarantine.
PORTUGAL: The former pandemic hotspot Portugal has the lowest infection rates in Europe after Iceland and together with Finland. On Saturday, the state of emergency corona was no longer extended for the first time in around five and a half months. Restaurants, cafés and bars as well as cinemas, theaters and other cultural and leisure facilities have since been allowed to stay open until 10.30 p.m. on weekends. So far, there has been a very early curfew on weekends across Portugal, which started at 1 p.m. In addition, among other easing measures, the land border with Spain was reopened.
Unnecessary tourist trips from countries with a 14-day incidence over 150, including Germany, are still not permitted.
In the country with 10.3 million inhabitants, almost 3.5 million vaccine doses have already been administered.
There are not yet any advantages for those who have been vaccinated or recovered in Portugal.
ROMANIA: In the south-eastern European country, outdoor catering is largely allowed again, hotels are open.
In the open air and thus also on beaches, mask and distance requirements still apply.
The vaccination campaign in the country is also running at full speed, there is no longer any prioritization.
3.2 million of the approximately 20 million inhabitants have been vaccinated, of which 1.9 million have also received the second dose.
The question of the extent to which the campaign reaches the rural population and religious groups is a matter of concern.
When entering the country, Germans have to go into quarantine for 14 days.
Anyone who has received the second corona vaccination at least ten days before departure is exempt from this.
For other EU citizens there are sometimes fewer restrictions, Germany is a risk area in Romania.
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SWITZERLAND: Anyone who flies to Switzerland must present a negative corona test that is not older than 72 hours.
If you arrive by car, bus or train, you don't need that.
Only travelers from risk areas have to be in quarantine.
Germany is not one of them, except for Saxony and Thuringia.
Hotels are open, as are museums, shops, theaters, cinemas and zoos and amusement parks.
Eating and drinking is allowed on restaurant terraces.
Maximum numbers apply everywhere for visitors, distance rules and mask requirements.
There are no curfews.
There are no special concessions for vaccinated people.
Despite the opening steps, the reported numbers of infections are now falling.
The 14-day incidence was most recently around 289 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, after 315 a week earlier.
Around eleven percent of the population was fully vaccinated.
SLOVAKIA: The shops in Slovakia are reopened in compliance with strict hygiene and distance rules.
Catering establishments are allowed to serve in their outdoor areas.
The number of new infections is falling.
According to official information, a little more than 20 percent of the 5.5 million inhabitants had been vaccinated at least once by Wednesday.
After prior online registration, tourists have to go into a 14-day quarantine, from which they can free themselves after eight days at the earliest.
Vaccinated persons can shorten this time by having a PCR test immediately after entering the country.
SPAIN: The seven-day incidence is significantly lower than in Germany, most recently it was only a good 87. In some holiday regions such as Valencia (around 17) or the Balearic Islands (just under 28) with Mallorca, the situation is even more relaxed. In the various regions, some strict restrictions still applied on Thursday, but almost all of them come to an end on the weekend with the end of the six-month corona emergency. Several regions meanwhile want to maintain the night-time lockdown. In addition, the mask requirement should also continue to apply outdoors for the time being.
Entry to Spain from all EU and Schengen-associated countries is generally possible.
However, the obligation to test for entry from a risk area from abroad (including Germany) still applies.
Almost 12.4 million citizens - a good 26 percent of all Spaniards - have already received at least the first dose of vaccination, of which more than five million are fully vaccinated.
However, there are not yet any privileges for those who have been vaccinated or recovered in Spain.
CZECH REPUBLIC: After more than six months, all retail stores are allowed to reopen from Monday (May 10th).
The masks may then be removed outdoors if a distance of two meters can be maintained.
More students are returning to schools.
Restaurants and hotels are still closed.
Outdoor catering should get the green light on May 17th.
Travel to the Czech Republic for tourist reasons is prohibited. The former corona hotspot recently had fewer than 125 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. More than one million of the almost eleven million inhabitants are fully vaccinated.
TURKEY: There is still a lockdown in Turkey until May 17th: only shops for daily needs are open, people are only allowed to go outside for important errands. Tourists are exempt from these exit restrictions and can move freely. The number of new infections in the country every day remains at a high level. In the tourist provinces of Antalya, Mugla and Izmir, the seven-day incidence was around 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past few weeks. Around 17 percent of the population have received at least one dose of vaccine so far, and employees in the tourism sector are given preference. When entering Turkey, a negative PCR test must be presented, which must not be older than 72 hours.
HUNGARY: The outdoor areas of the restaurants are open to everyone. Vaccinated and convalescent people can also stay in hotels, visit museums, theaters, cinemas, baths, fitness studios and sporting events. There is a nightly curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. In addition, it is mandatory to wear a mask in public interiors and outside in all built-up areas. Everything that is reserved for vaccinated and convalescents is exempt from the mask requirement. Until 4.5. 42 percent of the population received a first vaccination.
Tourist trips to Hungary are currently not possible.
Exceptions apply to people who have been vaccinated in one of the countries whose vaccination certificates Hungary recognizes on the basis of reciprocity.
Currently these are Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Bahrain.
A German who has been vaccinated in one of these countries can enter Hungary as a tourist.
CYPRUS: Carefree holidays are not yet possible on the Mediterranean island due to strict regulations.
For example, people are currently only allowed to be out there once a day for three hours - for example to go to the beach or to go shopping.
To do this, they have to send an SMS that can be checked by the police.
Cyprus and Germany mutually classify each other as corona risk areas - but entry into Cyprus is still possible. Potential guests have to announce their trip online and leave their details. To enter the country, they also need a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours or a completed corona vaccination - it is completed two weeks after the second dose has been administered. After entering the country, you will be tested again, you will have to pay for this test yourself and wait several hours for the result. There is no quarantine requirement.
ENTRY TO GERMANY: Of the countries listed, Estonia, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and Cyprus are currently classified by Germany as high-incidence areas, the other states as risk areas.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, travelers returning from risk areas must generally go to a ten-day quarantine and register online before arriving in Germany.
After five days, the quarantine can be ended prematurely with a negative corona test.
For the return journey from high-incidence areas, additional stricter rules apply: In this case, travelers must prove upon entry that they are not infected with the coronavirus, for example with a negative test result.
This proof must not be older than 48 hours.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210506-99-490144 / 2
RKI on risk areas and high incidence areas