The number of infections and deaths from the corona virus is increasing faster. The World Health Organization declares the emergency to coordinate measures.
- The novel corona virus is spreading worldwide - now it has also arrived in Italy.
- The Federal Foreign Office had previously advised against unnecessary trips to China.
- Are there now also travel warnings for vacationers in Italy?
Update from February 25th, 2020: Corona virus in Italy - Are there travel warnings?
The corona virus continues to keep the world in suspense. Italy has become the focal point in Europe - the local authorities now count seven casualties (as of May 25, 2020). Since Italy is a popular holiday destination for Germans, the question arises as to whether the Federal Foreign Office will issue a travel warning. At the moment, however, this is not the case . As the Deutschlandfunk explains, the office is in close contact with the Italian authorities.
The reason is the closure of several Italian towns due to the corona virus. The Federal Foreign Office has announced that embassies and consulates are available as contacts if Germans are also affected by these barriers. The affected localities are several locations in the Lombardy region and the province of Padua in Veneto . The Federal Foreign Office advises travelers to find out about the situation before starting their trip with the responsible Italian diplomatic mission and the Ministero della Salute. Returnees from the affected regions in northern Italy are advised to follow the instructions of the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Center for Health Education online.
Some rail companies and airlines are already responding to the increase in coronavirus cases in Italy. As reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Lufthansa offers passengers the possibility to rebook or cancel free of charge if it is not possible to travel due to changes in the entry requirements due to the corona virus . The Italian railway company Trenitalia also wants to fully reimburse train journeys regardless of the tariff if they are canceled due to the virus. Regional train tickets are reimbursed in cash, while high-speed or long-distance train owners receive a one-year voucher.
Original article from 02/12/2020: Federal Foreign Office advises to postpone unnecessary travel
The number of patients with the novel coronavirus rose to 9,692 around 1981, as reported by the Health Commission in Beijing. The death toll rose to 213. On Thursday evening, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of the virus a " health emergency of international importance ". The 190 member countries will coordinate the crisis measures recommended by the WHO.
Germans should refrain from traveling to China . "If possible, postpone unnecessary trips to China," says the Federal Foreign Office's new travel advice. We explicitly warn against visiting the severely affected Hubei province. Even more clearly, the US government called on its citizens to stop traveling to China. Americans in China should also consider leaving the country. The US travel advice for China has been raised to the highest of four warning levels: "Do not travel." Many airlines, including Lufthansa, have already suspended their flights to China.
Cruise companies are also reacting to the spread of the corona virus and increasingly canceling cruises.
Federal Foreign Office travel recommendations in detail
The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin advised to postpone unnecessary trips to the affected areas . Warnings about trips to Hubei Province.
In general, considerable restrictions on mobility within China can currently be expected. The pathogen has now appeared in almost every province or region in the country. The site says: "Since December 2019, cases of lung disease have occurred in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, which are likely related to visiting a local poultry and fish market. An infection with a novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV) . The number of cases is currently increasing significantly and deaths have occurred. The disease is spreading further in China. "
The Federal Foreign Office recommends travelers :
Warnings about trips to Hubei Province.
Register in the crisis preparedness list.
Include the restrictions mentioned in your travel planning and check for an early departure if necessary.
If possible, postpone unnecessary trips to China.
Follow the instructions given by the local security forces.
Get vaccinated against influenza before traveling with the current Northern Hemisphere vaccine. An influenza vaccination can help to avoid unnecessary suspected cases.
Observe the information in the nCoV leaflet and on the websites of the World Health Organization WHO and the Robert Koch Institute RKI.
Read here : Can't cancel? Airline has to reimburse airfare.
Corona virus and its effects on tourism
China is rather a small market for German organizers. The German Travel Association (DRV) pointed out that around 600,000 to 650,000 Germans travel to the country every year . About two thirds of these are business travelers.
Guests from China are of greater importance for tourism in Germany . According to the latest data, around 3 million overnight stays by Chinese travelers in hotels, guest houses and other accommodations between Rügen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen were counted in 2018. This placed them 12th in the ranking of foreign tourists. The main travel season is the summer months.
"The high spending behavior of the Chinese with a turnover of six billion euros in 2018 reflects the economic importance for retail and the tourism and leisure industry in Germany, " said Petra Hedorfer, chairwoman of the board of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). According to the GNTB, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin and Cologne are at the top of the popularity scale for Chinese.
The consequences of the travel restrictions depend on how they are further developed and how long they remain in force. According to the information, group and package tours abroad with departure dates from Monday (January 27) have been canceled.
Read here : Five cost traps on vacation that you didn't know yet.
Coronavirus: What Tui customers who have booked a trip to China need to know
Tui customers who have planned a trip to China within the next two weeks can rebook free of charge to another travel date, as the German industry leader announced on Monday. According to Tui, Tui currently has only a few guests in the country. The main travel season is summer. "We are still in contact with the authorities and are closely monitoring the situation," said a spokeswoman.
Coronavirus: What SER tourism customers who have booked a trip to China need to know
DER Touristik offers free cancellations and rebookings for trips to China with a departure date until March 31. The tour operator brands Dertour, Meiers Weltreisen and ADAC Reisen have the Middle Kingdom in their program. There are currently almost three figures in the country. They would be kept up to date with text messages and notices in the hotels, DER Touristik explained. Watch the situation closely.
Coronavirus: What FTI customers who have booked a trip to China need to know
According to the organizer, FTI Group guests can rebook or cancel trips free of charge up to and including February 21st.
Coronavirus: What Studiosus customers who have booked a trip to China need to know
Studiosus meanwhile canceled trips to the country until April 15, 2020 inclusive . "Against the background of a continuing deterioration in the situation and the tightening of travel advice from the Federal Foreign Office, we currently see no way of making planned trips to China," said the provider on his website. A rapid relaxation is not expected.
Studiosus currently has no guests in China. The next trip should start on March 15th. China guests with a departure by May 31st can change or cancel free of charge .
Also interesting : How to get your costs back after the flight cancellation.
dpa / sca
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