The coronavirus crisis has upset many people's vacation plans. The EU Commission is now presenting a concept that should make travel possible and thus boost tourism.
- Many people are currently worried about their summer vacation because of the Corona crisis .
- But news from Austria and other EU countries give reason for hope.
- Now the EU Commission has developed a concept that should boost tourism in Europe.
- 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 *. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
Update from May 13, 4:12 p.m .: Can the summer vacation take place or are vacations already booked falling into the water? As reported by Spiegel Online , German airports are apparently preparing for fever checks . Accordingly, all departing and arriving passengers should be subjected to a fever test across the board.
As Spiegel Online reports, citing an insider from the aviation industry, concepts are said to have already been created for the two airports in Frankfurt and Munich , and these could start immediately. The introduction of controls could then increase the volume of travel at the airports.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Those who book should receive an extra guarantee - Maas comments on the travel warning
Update of May 13, 1:51 p.m .: Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced on Wednesday that he wants to gradually lift the worldwide travel warning for tourists because of the corona pandemic . The European countries are to be started. However, he did not yet specify a specific point in time. " It will certainly be possible for Europe to lift the travel warning earlier than for other travel destinations - provided that the current positive trend is continuing in many countries," said Maas.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Maas wants to gradually ease travel warnings
The Foreign Minister further indicated that the travel warning may not be lifted for the entire European Schengen area - where there are usually no border controls - at the same time . The aim must be to coordinate the approach in Europe as best as possible, even if the situation differs from country to country. "We don't all have to go in the same rhythm, but neither do we have to race - so that we don't step on each other's feet," emphasized Maas.
News of the border openings also came from Switzerland on Wednesday : From June 15, the Swiss border with Austria and Germany should be open again . This was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice of the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday. The condition for this is that the pandemic development remains positive.
In the meantime, Iceland has also considered the future dealings with tourists : there, people should have the choice between a Corona test or a two-week quarantine when entering the country . The restrictions on international travelers are to be relaxed by June 15 at the latest , the Icelandic government announced on Tuesday evening.
A woman is spat on at a London train station by a suspected corona infected woman - now she is dead.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Federal government wants to loosen borders from Saturday
Update of May 13, 11:43 am: Border openings, which would especially help the tourism industry , which was extremely hard hit by the Corona crisis , have been under discussion for a few days. On Wednesday morning (May 13th), the federal government decided to relax the borders as of next Saturday. Crossing the border from Luxembourg in particular will be made easier, the German press agency learned on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting in Berlin.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior, under CSU politician Horst Seehofer, is aiming for a complete end to the controls introduced at all border sections due to the corona pandemic by June 15 .
First report from May 13, 2020:
Brussels - Hopes for summer vacation, at least within Europe, are growing despite the ongoing Coronavirus * crisis. In addition to the understandable longing of many people for the sun, the beach and carefree holiday happiness, the impending losses in the tourism industry and the associated job losses give reason to make travel within Europe possible again.
Summer vacation despite Corona: EU Commission presents concept
The EU Commission , among other things, is working intensively on how this should work . On Wednesday (13 May), the Commission plans to present its recommendations on how to boost tourism again, without neglecting security. The authority of EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) warns in a ten-page draft entitled "Europe needs a break" , which is available to the Bild newspaper (article behind the payment barrier), that "the advantages of Travel and tourism are weighed against the risks of contributing to the further spread of the corona virus , which would then necessitate further containment measures * ”. As long as there was no vaccine or medication available.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has developed a concept with the agency's employees to boost tourism.
© dpa / Giannis Papanikos
In the worst case, the document says, the loss of 6.4 million jobs across Europe threatens . According to the picture, the EU paper names the insecurity of travelers and passengers with regard to reimbursement as one of the biggest problems. Therefore, the authority proposes an upgrade of the voucher model , which frees the customer from the risk of an insolvent organizer. This should get the bookings going.
Summer vacation despite Corona: extra guarantee for tourists planned
Specifically, this means: States should be liable for the vouchers . Through particularly flexible rebooking and transfer options, these should also be made more attractive and reimbursable at the end of the term, according to the Bild newspaper. Behind this proposal by the EU Commission is the fear that companies will go bankrupt if they have to pay out too many cancellation reimbursements at once in the event of a second wave of infection , which many scientists consider likely.
Such a state-guaranteed voucher insurance would certainly be of great advantage for tourists. The EU paper not only provides answers to the question of liability in cases of cancellation, but also proposes a plan for the border openings .
The Commission does not recommend that the borders in the Schengen area be reopened immediately, but a flexible step model . The goal remains but still "the restoration of the integrity of the Schengen area 'with its travel freedom of movement , it is according to the report. In Germany, the planned date is June 15th . According to agreement on Wednesday (May 13) from Austria, the borders to Germany and Switzerland are expected to be opened in June. Even if that is too late for the Pentecost holidays in Germany *, many travel providers will probably be happy about this message.
Hiking holidays in Austria will probably not be canceled this summer either. The borders are to be opened soon.
© dpa / Johann Groder
Summer vacation despite Corona: border controls should be eased in the EU
Then the controls on countries with a comparable virus situation should first be relaxed . Sufficient test and hospital capacities are important. Furthermore, infection chains should be able to be tracked effectively and distance requirements observed. Another key factor: where border measures are relaxed, rights should be the same for all EU citizens , regardless of their nationality.
The head of the largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber (EPP) , had already made this request in an interview with the Bild newspaper: There should be no discrimination, "there should be no first and second class Europeans". The 18 members of the EPP Group also urged Ursula von der Leyen that the EU member states should lift their quarantine * regulations for incoming EU citizens .
Summer vacation despite Corona: Tui boss plans "mini cruises"
Tui boss Fritz Joussen also announced a creative approach to boosting tourism on Wednesday. The travel group, which will probably have to cut 8,000 jobs worldwide due to the Corona crisis, is planning "mini cruises" with ships that depart from northern Germany. It is about "short cruises in the North Sea with only 1000 guests on the ship to ensure safety here," explains Joussen.
In view of the developments within the EU and the incentive for representatives of the travel industry to enable tourism in the summer of 2020 as well, it can be expected that the holiday season will not be completely canceled this year . But the still extremely serious corona situation also makes it clear that caution is required.
Also helpful: In which countries you can probably spend your summer vacation again this year, read Merkur.de *.
An interesting background information: The EU Commission announced about two months ago that it would mitigate the economic consequences of the corona pandemic with a billion-dollar aid package. You can find more details in the video below.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.