Anyone who comes to the country has to be in quarantine: Israel is cracking down on the new corona virus - and making vacation in the country impossible. Other countries could follow. What rights do travelers have?
Hanover / Kempten (dpa / tmn) - Israel no longer lets German travelers into the country because of the new corona virus - unless they enter a 14-day quarantine after arrival. This requirement means a de facto entry ban and makes a vacation impossible.
In the case of an official entry ban, there is a case of force majeure, explains travel law expert Ernst Führich from Kempten. It is an inevitable, exceptional circumstance. Both a package tour and a single flight can be canceled free of charge. Compensation or compensation payments according to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation are excluded.
Because Israel refused entry without proof of quarantine, the airline had to deny a passenger access to the plane at the departure airport in Germany, added lawyer Paul Degott from Hanover. The promotion cannot therefore take place. The travel law expert also comes to the conclusion that air passengers get the money back for their ticket.
Airlines cancel flights
As a result of the entry restrictions, Lufthansa will cancel all Israel flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat for the next three weeks as of March 8, the airline said on Thursday. This also applies to flights operated by Swiss and Austrian Airlines. The Lufthansa Group sees itself forced to do this for economic and operational reasons, since many passengers are no longer authorized to enter the country, the statement said.
Easyjet advises passengers to ensure that they can meet the new requirements. The flight program to and from Israel remains unaffected.
The new entry requirements for Israel
Entry from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among other countries, is no longer possible for non-Israeli nationals as of March 6, the Foreign Office informs in its travel and security notice for Israel.
Incoming passengers are denied entry if they cannot prove that there is no possibility of domestic quarantine in Israel for 14 days, the State Transport Authority explains. The insulation should not be a hotel. Guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, for example, who are already in Israel, are said to be able to continue their stay as planned. No one will be expelled from the country, the traffic office said.
Money back with canceled package tour
Package travelers are always covered: If the organizer cannot make a trip as planned due to official orders, customers have the right to withdraw from the contract free of charge. That means they get their paid money back from the organizer.
The study travel provider Studiosus has canceled the next trips to Israel due to the new entry requirements. One sees itself forced to cancel travel in a first step with departure until March 15th, it says on the website of the organizer. It is currently not known how long the entry ban applies.
Because of the worldwide spread of the new type of corona virus, there is a danger that other countries will take similarly drastic measures as Israel - and get vacationers cold. Thailand, for example, already "recommends" travelers from Germany to go into domestic quarantine after arriving in the country. However, vacationers are not obliged to stay in their hotel.
What if I find the corona virus on vacation?
The Federal Foreign Office makes it clear: "If an infection is detected, the authorities in the respective country decide which measures are to be taken. As in Germany, the authorities can order quarantine measures. These also apply to travelers and must be followed."
Safety notice from Studiosus for Israel
AA for travelers to Covid-19
AA travel and safety information for Israel
