To the beach or to the mountains? Both are possible in the coming weeks. Many European countries are further easing the corona restrictions for the summer season.
Berlin (dpa) – The vaccination is progressing, the corona numbers are back and the summer vacation is just around the corner. The really big events are usually still banned in European countries – but a wine on the restaurant terrace is possible almost everywhere.
Entry for those who have been vaccinated, tested and recovered is often quite easy. A European overview, sorted alphabetically:
BALTIC STATES: In Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania the easing will continue. The retail trade is largely open in all three Baltic states, the catering industry may again serve guests in the outdoor area subject to certain conditions. There are also initial openings in the cultural sector: museums, theaters and cinemas are allowed to receive at least a limited number of visitors. Anyone entering from Germany or other EU countries must register. In Latvia and Lithuania, a negative corona test is generally required, in Estonia this applies to travelers from more affected countries. Germany is currently not one of them – that is why there is no quarantine requirement. In Latvia and Lithuania, on the other hand, only demonstrably vaccinated and convalescent people are exempt. There are also some privileges for vaccinated people in the three countries.
BELGIUM: Pubs, cinemas, fitness studios: Thanks to the decreasing number of infections, Belgium has significantly relaxed the corona rules. In addition to terraces, the interiors of restaurants are also open. In addition to sports facilities, cinemas are also allowed to resume operations, and cultural events with up to 200 people are possible inside again. In Brussels there is no general mask requirement outside. The number of new infections and hospital cases related to Covid-19 had recently decreased significantly. The incidence is still around 186 cases per 100,000 inhabitants within 14 days. As of Monday, 5.2 million people had been vaccinated against Corona at least once. The government advises against tourist travel.
BULGARIA: The holiday destination on the Black Sea has reopened for international tourism. Vaccinated, tested and recovered travelers from EU countries are allowed into the country without the obligation to quarantine. Local, shopping and fitness centers as well as theaters, cinemas and museums are reopened under certain conditions. Private parties with more than 15 participants are again allowed. Football games can be played with fans in the stadium if the Corona rules are observed. A mask is required in public transport, pharmacies, supermarkets and banks as well as in churches and communal areas. Vaccinated people have no privileges. Only nine percent of the population are fully vaccinated.
DENMARK: What has long been true for residents of Schleswig-Holstein now applies to all travelers from Germany: German vacationers no longer have to be quarantined after arriving in Denmark. At the border, however, you have to show a negative corona test and have yourself tested again after entering the country. Fully vaccinated Germans and many other people from EU and Schengen countries have been allowed to enter without a test and quarantine since May. There are very few restrictions within Denmark: shops, restaurants and pubs have long been open again, as have gyms, museums and cinemas. In many places, however, you have to present your Corona passport, with which you can prove negative tests, vaccinations and survived infections.
FRANCE Cultural institutions, shops and restaurants are open again in France. 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. The interiors of cafes and restaurants have been open again since Wednesday. Travel in the country is allowed, hotels are also open. There are now also facilities for travelers from Germany and other countries. When entering the country, proof of a complete vaccination or an antigen test that is not older than 72 hours is sufficient. The number of new corona infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week has recently fallen sharply and is around 69. Around 43 percent of people have received at least one first corona vaccination.
GREECE: In Greece, most of the corona measures have now been lifted. With better and better weather, Greeks and tourists alike enjoy the new freedoms. In addition to archaeological sites and museums, the outdoor areas of cafes, bars and taverns are open. Safety and distance rules apply. Visitors to Greece must enter their details on the website https://travel.gov.gr/#/ before entering the country. In addition, they must be fully vaccinated upon entry or have an up-to-date PCR test – this also applies to children aged five and over. There is no longer an obligation to quarantine.
GREAT BRITAIN: In the United Kingdom, concerns about a third corona wave are growing in view of the rising number of cases. A large part of the new infections can be traced back to the Delta variant, which was first discovered in India. Hopes still rest on the high vaccination rate in the country preventing an increase in hospital admissions and deaths, but it is uncertain whether all corona measures in England can be lifted on June 21 as planned. More than three quarters of adults have now received a first vaccination, and a good half also received the second dose. Many corona measures have already been lifted. Most of the pubs and restaurants have reopened. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own corona measures, but they only differ in details.
There are still major hurdles for travelers: In most cases, a ten-day quarantine is necessary – in high-risk countries even at your own expense in the hotel. In any case, a negative test is necessary before entry, and PCR tests must be carried out on the second and eighth day after entry. Only for countries on England’s so-called “green list” are the rules less stringent. So far there are no exceptions for vaccinated people.
IRELAND: In Ireland, more than half of the population has now been vaccinated for the first time, 13 percent have full vaccination protection. After months of lockdown, restaurants and bars have been able to receive visitors again since Monday – but only in outdoor areas.
However, the government continues to advise against unnecessary trips to Ireland. Entrants must show a negative PCR test and go into quarantine. For travelers from countries with particularly high numbers of corona cases or dangerous variants, there is also mandatory isolation in the hotel. However, there are already more freedoms in Ireland for those who are fully vaccinated: For example, there are loose provisions for appointments or quarantine rules.
ITALY: The country with around 60 million inhabitants is no longer on the list of risk areas of the Robert Koch Institute. Those who travel back to Germany from Italy by land do not have to observe any test rules. In the Mediterranean country, the situation continues to improve. If you want to travel there, you need a negative rapid or PCR test that is not older than 48 hours. The loosest corona rules now apply in 7 of the around 20 regions. These include Veneto, Sardinia and Liguria. There the night curfew and the restrictions on outdoor dining no longer apply.
The rest of the country is in the Yellow Zone. The night curfew still applies there. In all regions, people in public spaces must wear a mouth and nose covering. Fitness studios can be used for training and a limited number of spectators are allowed to attend sporting events. Theaters, museums and cinemas are open. So far there are hardly any advantages for vaccinated people.
CROATIA: The popular holiday destination is getting ready for the new season. At least once vaccinated, recovered and currently tested people can go on vacation in Croatia. They have to prove their status when crossing the border. Many hotels and private accommodation are already available on the booking platforms. In the country itself there are no other privileges for vaccinated people. Restaurants can once again receive guests inside, with the exception of cafes without food that are only allowed to serve outside. A mask must be worn in public indoor spaces, and anywhere outside where no distance can be maintained.
MALTA: In the smallest EU country, people have been able to go to bars, cinemas and theaters again since this week. In restaurants, six people are now allowed at the table instead of the previous four. People older than 17 are allowed to practice contact sports again. Visitors are allowed to lie on the beach without covering their mouth and nose. Anyone entering Malta needs a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 72 hours. Malta recorded the first day without a corona death this week. The country has not been on the Robert Koch Institute’s risk list for a long time. Malta is making rapid progress in the vaccination campaign. So far, around 56 percent of the population over the age of 16 has been completely vaccinated against Covid-19.
NETHERLANDS: Public life is normalizing. Museums, theaters, zoos and cinemas are reopened and are allowed to receive at least a limited number of visitors. Restaurants can also serve guests indoors under certain conditions, until 10 p.m. Shops have been open again for a long time. Prostitutes are allowed to receive customers again. There is also relaxation in sport. Only the discos and night clubs remain closed. During the European Football Championship, pubs are also not allowed to show games on video screens. Germans can now visit the country again without a negative PCR test and without the obligation to quarantine. However, they are warned that the general corona rules such as mask requirements and distance rules also apply to campsites and holiday homes.
NORWAY: Holidays in Norway are still not possible for Germans. The Federal Foreign Office also advises against unnecessary trips to Norway. However, entry from Germany is possible if you have a valid reason. But then you have to be in quarantine. However, anyone who has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or can prove an infection in the past six months will escape quarantine in Norway from Friday afternoon after entry. The prerequisite for this, however, is that you have to be tested for the coronavirus at the border or within two days of arrival. The number of new infections in Norway has long been low. Around 40 percent of adults have received their first dose of vaccine. The shops and restaurants are open almost everywhere. Mouth and nose protection must be worn on buses, trains and shops.
AUSTRIA: The country continues to loosen up. From Thursday on, the curfew in the gastronomy will be postponed from 10 p.m. to midnight. Significantly more people are also allowed to meet. In theaters and concerts, three out of four seats may be occupied, and there is no mask requirement. There is also easing in retail. However – the trade and museums are exceptions – the 3-G rule applies everywhere. This means that the visitors and guests either have to be tested, recovered or vaccinated. In Austria every second citizen has now received a vaccination. Anyone wishing to enter the country must meet one of the 3G rules. There are only further restrictions for tourists from high-incidence and virus-variant areas.
POLAND: The neighboring country has been loosening up gradually since May. Hotels, shopping centers, museums and art galleries are allowed to open under certain conditions. Restaurants are allowed to serve guests outdoors, indoors with limited capacity. Fitness studios and indoor swimming pools are also back in operation. A maximum of 150 guests are allowed for celebrations. Masks are required indoors as well as on buses and trains. 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. Even those who have been fully vaccinated and those who have been proven to have recovered are exempt from the quarantine. A good 23.3 million people in the 38 million-strong country have received at least one dose of vaccine. Almost 22 percent have complete vaccination protection.
PORTUGAL The situation in the former Corona hotspot has been stable for weeks. However, according to the EU authority ECDC, the 14-day incidence rose slightly to 65, previously it was 55. The state of emergency to contain the pandemic ended after five and a half months on May 1. Cafés, bars and restaurants as well as cinemas, theaters and other cultural and leisure facilities are open. In the open air and in public spaces, it is mandatory to wear a mask if the recommended minimum distance cannot be maintained.
Visitors from Germany and from other EU countries with a relatively good corona situation are allowed to enter for tourist purposes. However, all visitors over two years of age still have to present a negative PCR test. The Foreign Office is warning of unnecessary tourist trips to the Azores and Madeira, where the numbers are slightly higher. In the country with 10.3 million inhabitants, a good 41 percent have so far received at least one vaccination against Corona, almost 22 percent are fully vaccinated. However, there are still no advantages for those who have been vaccinated or recovered.
ROMANIA: In the south-eastern European country, outdoor catering is allowed without restrictions, hotels are open. In the open air and thus also on beaches, distance requirements apply; mouth and nose protection only needs to be worn in closed public spaces. For indoor catering, the following applies: If a restaurateur only allows vaccinated guests, his restaurant may be 100 percent occupied. Otherwise, limitations apply. Clubs, discos, arcades and bars are open to fully vaccinated people. German tourists do not need proof of vaccination or test and do not have to be in quarantine. This also applies when returning to Germany from Romania.
SWEDEN: During the Corona crisis, the Swedes chose a special route with relatively loose measures. The entry rules are also kept relaxed, and the authorities no longer advise against traveling to Germany. Entrants from EU countries must show a negative corona test that is no more than 48 hours old; people from the rest of Scandinavia are exempt from this. A negative test is also required when you return to Germany if you are not vaccinated.
The number of new infections in Sweden is now falling, with almost half of the adult population having their first vaccination. In the country there is no obligation to wear a face mask, the restrictions are now to be gradually relaxed. Since the beginning of June, more than eight participants have again been allowed to attend meetings and events. In the cinema and in other indoor rooms with permanent seats, 50 people can be present, and up to 500 for open-air events such as football matches in stadiums.
SWITZERLAND: German vacationers are welcome everywhere. After Thuringia and Saxony were also removed from the list of risk areas, there are no longer any restrictions for travelers from Germany. Hotels and restaurants are open: restaurants also inside, as well as wellness and thermal baths and leisure facilities such as museums, theaters, cinemas and zoos. Negative corona tests or proof of vaccination are not required to enter. However, hygiene concepts apply everywhere, with distance or a limited number of guests per table. There are no longer any requirements for vaccinated, convalescent and visitors from Germany who arrive by car. The others have to register electronically when arriving by bus or train. Passengers generally need a negative corona test.
SLOVAKIA: The shops are open in compliance with hygiene and distance rules. Catering establishments are allowed to serve outside, in almost all counties, thanks to the low incidence, inside again. Tourists must register online before entering the country and show a negative corona test. Theoretically, they then have to go into a 14-day quarantine, but can get rid of it immediately after entering the country with a negative test result if they have not been in a high-risk country. Vaccinated and convalescents do not need this test (after deadlines that vary depending on the vaccine type).
SPAIN: The pandemic situation is relatively relaxed. Especially in holiday regions such as the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands or Valencia, the seven-day incidence is as low as in Germany. In the Balearic Islands, to which Mallorca also belongs, it was recently around 20 despite extensive easing. In the course of this positive development, life is normalizing more and more everywhere in the country. Everyone who has been fully vaccinated or recovered from Corona has been allowed to enter the country without restrictions since June 7th. For incompletely vaccinated people who come from a risk area abroad, such as Germany, a test still applies.
However, an antigen test is sufficient. Regardless of any easing, visitors and locals must still observe a few rules. The most important is the mask requirement, which for the time being still prevails in all of Spain in the open air. You can take off your mouth and nose protection on the beach or while bathing. And you don’t have to wear a mask in a restaurant or café. There are different limits in the Spanish regions for the number of people who are allowed to sit at a table in restaurants. More than 42 percent of the 47 million citizens have already received at least one vaccination, a good 23 percent are fully vaccinated. So far, there are no advantages for those who have been vaccinated or recovered, except for entry.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The Czech Republic will open its borders to tourists from all EU countries as well as Serbia from June 21st. The travelers must therefore prove that they have been vaccinated against the corona virus, tested negative or recovered – for example with the EU Corona passport. The details are not yet known. Vaccinated holiday guests from Germany and Austria who received their first injection at least 22 days ago are already being welcomed. An entry form must be completed online prior to arrival. For Germany, the Czech Republic is no longer a risk area due to the falling number of corona infections. The seven-day incidence per 100,000 population recently fell to 20.
TURKEY: The Turkish government is promoting tourists – workers in the tourism sector are given preferential vaccination and travelers are exempt from exit restrictions that are still in force. A negative rapid test that is not older than 48 hours or a PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old is sufficient for entry. People who have survived corona disease or who have been vaccinated can enter Germany with this proof and without a test.
According to official information, the daily new infections have decreased rapidly in the past few weeks: in mid-April they were still at times over 60,000, now below 7000. Restaurants, cafes and a number of other facilities can receive guests again. The government recently promised to vaccinate all people in Turkey over the age of 20 by the end of June – but many doubt that this promise can be kept. So far, almost 22 percent of people have received at least one vaccination.
HUNGARY: Tourist trips to Hungary are not yet possible. Exceptions apply to people who have been vaccinated in one of the countries whose vaccination certificates Hungary recognizes because of reciprocity. However, this does not include any Western European countries, including Germany. Exceptions with compulsory PCR testing apply to fans who come to one of the four European Football Championship matches in Budapest. The outdoor areas of the restaurants are open to everyone. Vaccinated and convalescent people (but not those who have been tested) can also stay indoors and visit museums, theaters, cinemas, baths, fitness studios and sporting events. In addition, there is largely a mask requirement in public indoor spaces.
CYPRUS: The Mediterranean country receives holidaymakers from most countries – the only exceptions are countries that are very badly affected by Corona. Taverns, bars and cafes have their outdoor areas open under certain conditions, but only until midnight because there is a night curfew. In order to be able to move freely, tourists need the “Cyprus Flight Pass”. It must be applied for on the website www.visitcyprus.com before entering the country and should always be carried with you during your vacation.
To enter the country, guests also need a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. Alternatively, visitors must provide evidence of at least one first vaccination, which must have been three weeks ago. There is no longer an obligation to quarantine – not even when returning to Germany. However, a negative corona test or proof of vaccination must be presented on return.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210610-99-935248 / 3
