»Corona time out«: Poor families can book subsidized short vacations

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Bicycles of a family on the Friesenstrand in the Wesermarsch (May 2020): One of the holiday offers for the »Corona break« is nearby

Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich / dpa

The federal government is promoting short vacations for poor families so that they can recover from the stresses and strains of the Corona period.

The stays can now be booked, as announced by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs.

With the »Corona break«, families can take a week's vacation in a non-profit family vacation home or youth hostel.

You only have to pay around ten percent of the regular costs for accommodation and meals.

"After the enormous efforts caused by the pandemic, many families are longing to finally get out again, switch off and recharge their batteries," said Federal Family Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) at the start of the program.

"Not every family can afford a vacation, but everyone should be able to relax."

Stays that start from October can be booked.

Further information and an overview of all participating institutions can be found on the ministry's website.

Questions are answered on the free hotline 0800-8661159.

Families with particularly low incomes are eligible for funding.

According to the information, the ministry is working on its own online calculator to check eligibility and has since referred to the website of the Federal Working Group on Family Recreation.

Family holidays where at least one member has a disability are also funded.

The "Corona break" is part of the federal government's so-called catch-up program.

Two billion euros are available to support schoolchildren in catching up on learning deficits and to finance additional leisure activities.

A budget of 50 million euros is planned for the "Corona break".

fdi / AFP