The Germans are worried about their summer vacation in the Corona crisis. But in addition to home leave, trips to some other countries are more likely. The news ticker.
- Because of the coronavirus pandemic * , the chances of a summer vacation abroad are not very good.
- The tourism industry, which has been hard hit by the Corona crisis , demands vehement easing - the first federal states are reacting, especially Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein.
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany * .
- You can also find current case numbers in Germany here as a map * . There are also the following recommendations for corona protective measures * .
Update, 7:00 p.m .: Tourism in Northern Germany has been reduced to practically zero due to the corona pandemic. Now venturing Schleswig-Holstein from May 18 to restart the Torusimus industry. The entry ban falls, and vacationers should have hotels and apartments on the North and Baltic Seas available again. Even islands and islets are again open for visitors.
Summer vacation despite Corona? Schleswig-Holstein with far-reaching easing of tourism
For catering establishments there is the possibility to start operating again, however only until 10 p.m. 50 guests are allowed per room, the applicable distance rules must still be observed. "There is now more freedom and therefore more responsibility for everyone involved," said Tourism Minister Bernd Buchholz (FDP) on Thursday.
Common areas as well as swimming pools and sauna areas remain closed to avoid gatherings. Outdoor swimming pools will also remain open for the time being. As far as the guests can adequately take care of the situation, camping and motorhome parking spaces may be used again. Excursion ships may leave Schleswig-Holsteig again from May 18, shops in bathing resorts may also open again on Sundays, but in consultation with the districts.
Summer vacation despite Corona? The first beaches open again for day tourists
Update, 4:03 p.m .: The first beaches in Germany will soon be accessible again: The beaches on the Elbe and Außenweser in the district of Cuxhaven will be open to day tourists again on May 14th . The current ban expires on May 13 and will not be extended, said a spokesman for the district. The coastal towns had been reserved for the locals shortly before Easter.
As a first step towards easing , owners of holiday homes and long-term campers have been allowed to travel again since Wednesday (May 6) according to a regulation by the state . Mayor Uwe Santjer (SPD) welcomed the return of the first guests. "The reason for this is the discipline practiced in the past few weeks," he said, according to the city. "Please let us continue so that we can soon allow even more relaxation in tourism ," Santjer continued.
Summer vacation despite Corona? Laschet names possible travel destinations - but Merkel's confidant warns
Update, May 7, 11:25 a.m .: Despite decisions after the big Corona summit with Angela Merkel: Chancellor's Minister Helge Braun warns of too many easing measures that affect travel . "If you look back, you can see that the great contagion risks lurk there," says Braun.
Because of the positive course of the infection, Germany can now "trust" something, explains the Chancellor . When it comes to opening the border, however, he is for Germany to step in step with its neighboring countries, Braun continues. "The beginning of these border controls was that business was up in Germany and no longer in the neighboring country, and then there was a lot of movement because people then came over the border to shop ," says the CDU politician.
Vacation in spite of Corona - where are people in Bavaria allowed to go on Pentecost vacation? * An overview.
Summer vacation despite Corona? Laschet gives hope for EU travel and names possible destinations
Update from May 6, 8:45 p.m .: Armin Laschet , Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, spoke to the "Bild" newspaper about the vacation and travel opportunities in summer and gave hope .
In addition to travel in Germany, holidays in Europe are not excluded. "From May 11th, from May 15th, we will see, for example, that the lockdown will end in France." The Netherlands also wanted to coordinate, as many citizens would go to the coasts there or to Belgium.
Armin Laschet also brought up the popular holiday destination Greece , which “survived the crisis relatively well”. “You will have to look at the concepts of how Europe as a whole is progressing. When do we get to the point of ending border closure? "
The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia , however, can hardly imagine long-distance travel . The countries bordering on Germany would be more likely to offer themselves. Everything depends on developments in the number of infections.
Political editor Christian Deutschländer believes that the shift in risk management to the federal states is correct *. The federal government should take care of more urgent matters - a comment.
Summer vacation despite Corona? Greece plans offensive for foreign tourism - concrete opening date has been fixed
Update 7:11 p.m .: Home leave in Germany is becoming more and more likely thanks to the federal government's progressive loosening of corona. And now Greece is also working on a concept by which tourists can spend their summer vacation in the country without exposing themselves or others to an increased health risk.
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Vacation despite Corona? Greece is working on tourism plan: talking about health protocols and passports
So far, the worldwide travel warning is valid until June 14 - whether it will be extended afterwards remains to be seen. Despite all the restrictions, Greece's tourism minister Charis Theoharis has developed concrete ideas on how a beach holiday could still work in his country. “We have a plan to support Greek tourism . We will use all possibilities, but in accordance with the health regulations, "said Theoharis, according to a report by Bild.de in the Greek parliament.
According to the plan, health plans for hotels , marinas, yachts, airplanes and coaches are drawn up - possibly based on so-called health passports . Specifically, this means that tourists should be tested consistently for the corona virus . Theoharis assumes that such measures can be implemented realistically. However, the exact details still need to be discussed. His goal is to create conditions that do not endanger the health of visitors, residents or the reputation of travel destinations, according to Bild.de.
Vacation despite Corona? Greece's tourism minister hopes for international cooperation agreements
The tourism minister also relies on international cooperation . He wants to secure the support of other countries through diplomatic measures. Greece is ready to accept tourists. But if the German, Russian, or US government orders quarantine * for those returning from Greece, it will deter tourists. Therefore, bilateral agreements with the respective governments should be made in advance .
Germans may not yet have to write off their summer vacation in Greece completely. (Icon image)
© AFP / ANGELOS TZORTZINIS
A further central point is to be government grants . The Greek ministries of finance, development and labor want to make specific and affordable financial packages available for the implementation of the tourism strategy this week. The plan: The government partially pays the salaries for employees in the tourism industry. In addition, in consultation with the respective municipalities, bars, restaurants and cafés could then only pay reduced fees for road use in their outside areas. Furthermore, the money could go directly to the financing of the comprehensive corona tests for tourists.
Vacation despite Corona? Greece plans advertising campaign focusing on corona crisis management
An advertising campaign is also planned to attract tourists. It should be ready in the coming weeks. The special feature: Instead of emphasizing the classic advantages of Greece, such as good food and turquoise blue sea, the focus of this campaign is on security and the functioning corona crisis management . In fact, there have been relatively few corona infections in Greece to date. According to current information from Johns Hopkins University, 2663 people infected and 147 deaths related to Covid-19 have been registered there. In order to ensure that the tourism campaign also reaches the target group, the Greek tourism plan provides for intensifying contacts with international media and tour operators. For example, initial talks have already been held with the tour operator TUI .
And that's not all: a specific start date for the opening of Greece for the purpose of foreign tourism has already been set. "We will open tourism abroad on July 1st, " said Greek Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis in the Greek parliament on Wednesday. It was also said that the government in Athens would provide details on this by May 15.
Vacation despite Corona? Federal states should decide on the reopening of hotels - virologists are positive
Update 5.11 p.m .: The hope of a pleasant summer - or even a holiday feeling increases. On the one hand, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) decided on Wednesday that the individual federal states would decide on the reopening of hotels and holiday apartments. On the other hand, there are apparently positive assessments of the situation among virologists .
Since intra-European vacations already seem possible in government circles, the virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit (41) in the picture interview gives a prospect of a summer leisure feeling in Germany. Of course, only after an appropriate decision from politics. "It speaks nothing against the fact that families in Germany in cottages or apartments go," says virologist against Bild.de . It would be people from a household. The virologist also hopes for swimming pools and open-air facilities : "The following applies here: if only a small number of visitors are admitted who adhere to the respective hygiene concept and can meet at a distance, there is nothing to be said against it."
Incidentally: after numerous easing measures were agreed at the federal-state consultations on Wednesday, details of the course of the conference also became public. Chancellor Merkel and a prime minister are said to have had a particularly expanded need for discussion.
Vacation despite Corona? Travel to the Balearic Islands or Greek Islands may be possible in summer
Update from May 6th, 10.35am: Is there hope for summer vacation ? Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (CDU) has repeatedly pointed out that this year is hardly to be expected. Now the Federal Government's Tourism Commissioner , State Secretary Thomas Bareiß, is giving hope.
For example, trips to the Balearic Islands or the Greek Islands could be possible if the infection situation there allowed it. "If there are hardly any new infections there and medical care is working, you could also think about a summer vacation there," Bareiß told Tagesspiegel .
In his opinion, the "long-distance trip" would fail. Depending on how the pandemic will develop in the next four to eight weeks, Bareiß continues that summer vacations are possible within Europe. One is already in talks with the neighboring countries of Germany . "But I would not yet write off other regions in Europe, such as the Balearic Islands or the Greek Islands."
Vacation despite Corona? Bavaria is also moving forward - plans for border controls are becoming more concrete
Update from May 5th, 9.42pm: Goodbye to summer vacation? In view of the corona pandemic , it is questionable whether the Germans can lie in the sun on the beach or the lakes in a few months. But now a virologist gives hope.
Opposite bild.de (Article after payment barrier) explained Professor Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit "We virologists can only provide impetus and ideas, the decision is at the end of course in politics. And of course the number of infections must be closely monitored. But I personally believe that stopping our lives for months is far from realistic. ”
The virologist gives hope above all for holidays in holiday homes , because "there is nothing to prevent families within Germany from going to holiday homes or apartments," says the virologist. After all, it is about a group of people who otherwise live in a household.
The hotel accommodation keeps Schmidt-Chanasit also possible, but only in a restricted number of guests - "for example, only ten or 20 percent as much as usual."
However, he sees the problem of day-to-day tourism on the beaches of the republic, as there are many people romping around, but it would be possible "that only those who live there or have rented a holiday home can go to the beach."
Vacationers 2018 on the beach of Norddeich. People sit close together. This is not possible this year.
© dpa / Mohssen Assanimoghaddam
Corona virus in Germany: plans for border controls are becoming more concrete
Update from May 5, 6:24 p.m .: Can people look forward to summer vacation abroad despite the corona virus ? The borders between Germany and its neighbors could become more permeable again from mid-May.
According to information of the German Press Agency have Interior Minister Horst Lake- r (CSU) and Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) already talked specifically about a concept of how to be a mitigating coronavirus where appropriate and applicable quarantine regulations without formal border controls ensure could.
A joint situation report by the Ministry of Health and the interior ministry says that a “gradual opening of the border” in the north is planned.
Appropriate concepts are already being discussed between the Federal Ministry of the Interior and other federal states with borders where controls are currently taking place. Seehofer extended the controls ordered at the borders to Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland in mid-March from Monday to May 15. The “gradual” opening could open up additional opportunities for people in terms of summer vacation.
Corona virus: vacation despite crisis? Austria hopes for German travelers
Update of May 5, 5 p.m .: Austria persistently advertises German tourists for summer vacation - despite or perhaps because of the Corona crisis .
The Germans make up the majority of holidaymakers in the southern neighboring country . Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) recently did not want to commit to opening the border between Bavaria and Tyrol on the one hand and Bavaria and the Salzburg region on the other.
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"I will not let up on this question. Austria creates all the prerequisites for a safe and enjoyable holiday, ”said Austrian Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) in an interview with the picture .
"I see myself here as an ally of the many German guests who want to spend their vacation in Austria ," said the 41-year-old: "Our success in the fight against the corona virus is the solid basis for us to work on future concepts for the summer . "
Summer vacation on Lake Wörthersee, on Lake Neusiedl, in the Tyrolean Alps or on the Danube? There will probably be intensive talks between the federal governments in Berlin and Vienna.
Vacation in Germany despite Corona? Tourism industry puts pressure
First message of May 5th: "Oh, I have such a longing. I am losing my mind. I want to go to the North Sea again! I want to go back to Westerland. "
The refrain of the classic doctor "Westerland" could become the motto of many Germans this summer, since vacationing abroad is unlikely or at least awkward due to the coronavirus pandemic .
After the tourism industry had previously put a lot of pressure on further easing , Bavaria * has now advanced to Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein in terms of summer vacation .
"In Bavaria you can go on vacation," said Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) when asked by Munich's Merkur * : "You can also camp, because there are excellent opportunities." Camping on Lake Chiemsee, on the Dreiflusseck near Passau or in Lindau on Lake Constance?
Summer vacation: Markus Söder - Vacation in Bavaria will be possible
As the Bavarian father now explained, from Pentecost Saturday, May 30th, hotels, holiday apartments and campsites in the Free State may reopen - subject to strict hygiene rules.
"We will allow hotels and tourism at Pentecost, on the 30th, " said Söder - but without a sauna or swimming pools. Before that, the Federal Government's Tourism Commissioner, Thomas Bareiß (CDU), had spoken cautiously on the topic of vacation : "I assume that this will be possible, hopefully even in the summer," said the Swabian.
But: Individual federal states have long been creating facts. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , for example on the Baltic Sea or the Mecklenburg Lake District, hotels, guesthouses and holiday apartments are allowed to reopen from May 18 under lower occupancy.
Summer vacation in Corona times: Schleswig-Holstein sets the pace
As Focus Online reports, the entry ban for tourists from other federal states is also to be lifted from May 25. As of Monday, May 25th, the hotels in Lower Saxony, ergo, on the North Sea between the Elbe, Cuxhaven, East Frisian Islands and Emden on the German-Dutch border are also due to reopen . Again, with fewer beds available.
Schleswig-Holstein is really pushing the pace : permanent camping has been allowed again since May 4th. According to Focus Online, Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) and Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) have agreed to open the border with Denmark on May 15.
Summer vacation despite Corona crisis? Travel abroad is unlikely
Even before Pentecost , tourism operations in the northernmost German state should start again - also in Westerland on Sylt .
The situation is different with summer vacation abroad: The Federal Foreign Office recently extended its travel warning to (at least) June 14.
* merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Sina Schuldt