The corona virus crisis has upset many vacation plans. But slowly there is hope. Now there will soon be initial talks with popular holiday countries.
- Many people are currently worried about their summer vacation because of the Corona crisis . Maas now wants to consult with holiday countries (update from May 15, 6.41 a.m.).
- Sylt sounds the alarm - "We don't want to become a second Ischgl" (update from May 14, 3:49 pm)
- Now Greece wants to reopen its beaches on Saturday. Tourism should start in July.
- 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.
Summer vacation in the Corona crisis: RKI considers temperature controls at airports to be ineffective
Update from May 16, 8:45 a.m .: The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is against temperature controls at airports in the corona pandemic. "Overall, entry and exit screening measures at airports with temperature measurements when coping with Covid 19 in Germany are assessed as ineffective and the possible added value as negligible," write RKI experts in a report.
The experts argue as arguments against temperature measurements that many people infected with corona would not be recognized : for example, less than half of those affected, about whom the RKI has data, had a fever at all. Travelers could also mask their temperature by taking antipyretic agents . Some infected people have no or generally no symptoms, but could still be contagious. Even in previous outbreaks - such as Sars 2002/2003 - the use of screening methods in other countries "has not proven to be effective in identifying cases".
For airports, the experts consider behavioral instructions for the suspected Corona case in several languages to be appropriate and sensible, as well as electronic recording of the contact details of the travelers so that they can be contacted quickly by health authorities in the event of an emergency. In addition to maintaining distance and hygiene rules, the RKI advocates making laboratory tests and medical care accessible to all patients - regardless of their origin and insurance status.
Summer vacation in the Corona crisis: vacation in Austria very likely
Update from May 15, 4.45 p.m .: If the spread of the coronavirus * has continued to be gradually contained, the border openings that are planned for mid-June could be carried out. For many Germans, this increases the hope that they can spend the summer vacation abroad.
In Austria there is a lot to suggest that German tourists are allowed to enter. In the course of the next week, tourist facilities such as museums, mountain railways and amusement parks in the Alpine Republic will start operating again, however visitors must wear mouth-nose protection.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Netherlands open campsites - Greece and Turkey could soon become destinations
A summer vacation in the Netherlands currently seems possible. From July 1st, campsites and holiday parks will open completely again. Museums can also receive visitors again from June 1st - provided that registration is made. Restaurants, cafes, beach pavilions and pubs can each serve a maximum of 30 guests . From July up to 100 guests are allowed.
From May 18, locals in Greece should be able to move freely in the country, and from July 1, tourism, which is essential for the economy , should start again . In many holiday resorts by the sea, the loungers and parasols at pools and beaches are already three to five meters apart.
The Turkey is hoping to international tourists in June , for hotels and restaurants are to apply strict corona conditions. Distance and hygiene rules should be observed, the staff should receive appropriate pandemic training. The semi-state airline Turkish Airlines recently extended its flight stop until May 28th.
Summer vacation despite Corona: uncertainty in popular travel destinations - Majorca vacation possible?
In Italy it is still of the resumption of tourism far away. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave his own compatriots some hope for a summer vacation on the beach, Italians are currently not allowed to travel from one region to another. In contrast, foreign tourists will have to do without a trip to Italy for a long time. Only in South Tyrol will hotels reopen at the end of May, there is currently an exceptionally booing for tourists.
The situation is similar in Spain , where people from abroad have to quarantine for two weeks from May 15th . Despite the gradual easing, the borders will remain for some time. But in parts of the country, hotels are allowed to reopen under strict conditions. Starting in June, Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings plan to take holidaymakers to the Balearic island of Mallorca , which is not particularly affected by the coronavirus * . On vacation! Bavaria wants to overturn the quarantine rule - you can read which countries open when here. *
Summer vacation despite Corona: Meuse invites many vacation countries to video conferences
Update from May 15, 6:41 a.m .: With all the easing in the corona pandemic, vacation-hungry people may have forgotten: In Germany, one is still valid until June 14
worldwide travel warning . But there is hope. Travel restrictions in popular vacation destinations could be eased in the coming weeks.
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas invited Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Malta, Slovenia, Cyprus and Bulgaria to a video conference on Monday, as the dpa news agency learned from the Federal Foreign Office.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Sylt sounds the alarm - "Don't want to become a second Ischgl"
Update from May 14, 3:49 pm: While the German islands of Sylt, Föhr and Amrum are afraid of the spread of coronavirus and ask the responsible district administrator for an entry ban for day tourists , the situation on the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands is very different. With strong appeals to Madrid, the two Spanish tourist strongholds have called for the early opening of the border for tourist traffic .
Summer vacation despite Corona: Canary Islands representative wants "safe tourist corridors"
"Unfortunately (in Spain because of Covid-19) almost 30,000 people died, but soon many will die of starvation, " if tourism does not get going, warned Ana Oramas, representative of the Alliance of the Canarian Coalition in the Madrid Parliament, on Thursday on Spanish television. She argued for the creation of "safe tourist corridors" between the Canary Islands and those countries that now have fewer problems with the corona virus. It is much less dangerous if, for example, a plane lands with Norwegians, Icelanders or Austrians on Fuerteventura than if people from Madrid or Barcelona came to the Spanish islands, she argued.
There are currently no tourists in the Balearic and Canary Islands - this leads to economic problems on the islands. (Icon image)
© dpa / Roberto Monaldo.Lapress
Holidays despite Corona: France allows domestic travel for citizens in July and August
The French government is also preparing everything for vacation trips in its country - however, for now, only the French are allowed to go on vacation in their own country. Travel should be bookable for the period July and August, said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Thursday. There should be regional differences, however, and the development of the epidemic in the country must also be kept in mind. The state offered compensation if the development of the epidemic made vacation impossible. First of all, the strict exit restrictions in France were relaxed on Monday for the first time . Some beaches also reopened in the course of this - but under strict conditions: alcohol is prohibited, among other things, and the distance rules must be observed.
The German Weather Service (DWD) was recently attacked by two weather experts because of inaccurately measured summer temperatures: "Has nothing to do with a serious measurement anymore."
Update from May 14, 2:15 p.m .: "We do n't want to become a second Ischgl " - this is how Karl-Max Hellner, chairman of the Sylt company , is quoted by the NDR . In order to prevent Sylt from becoming another corona hotspot resulting from tourism at Pentecost, like it was the Austrian ski resort in winter, all Sylt municipalities, entrepreneurs and Sylt Marketing have now written to Florian Lorenzen (CDU), District Administrator of North Friesland to extend the entry ban for day tourists on the islands .
Summer vacation despite Corona: Entry ban to Schleswig-Holstein ceases to apply from Monday
Because from next Monday, the entry ban for tourist and leisure purposes to Schleswig-Holstein as well as the entry ban for islands and Halligen will be abolished . However, the circles should be given the opportunity to implement their own regulations if necessary in order to limit day-to-day tourism. The managers in Sylt now want to take advantage of this opportunity: According to their wishes, only those who stay overnight should come. For all others, the ban on entering the islands - the request also includes Föhr and Amrum - should be extended until at least the beginning of June, according to a report by Stern.de .
Tourists will soon be romping around the North and Baltic Seas - despite the Corona crisis.
© dpa / Sina Schuldt
As also became known on Wednesday , Föhr and Amrum support the Sylt concern after the islands are opened later for day tourists. As a spokeswoman for Föhr-Touristik announced on Thursday to the German Press Agency, there was also a corresponding letter, which was written together with the Amt Föhr-Amrum and Amrum Touristik. Föhr was booked very well, the spokeswoman said. "The boom in German tourism was to be expected and, of course, we are very happy, after weeks of dry spell with an unusual Easter season," she continued. However, the main goal is that everyone has a restful, relaxed and, above all, safe stay and remains healthy.
Summer vacation despite Corona: Medical island care is not designed for the Corona pandemic
“The medical island supply is basically good - but not designed for exceptional situations. However, we have such an exceptional situation with the corona pandemic , ”said the spokeswoman. In Föhr they had hoped for the announced three-stage plan. “Starting everything from 0 to 100 percent now would completely overwhelm our infrastructure .” Therefore, one hopes that “the district of North Frisia will comply with the request and issue a corresponding special regulation”
Update from May 14, 11:29: Actually good news, but with a bland aftertaste: The Greek Corona crisis team allowed all 515 organized bathing establishments in the country to open from Saturday before a heat wave to be expected in the coming days . But there are strict requirements for bathers: Only 40 people per 1000 square meters should be allowed. The distance between the parasols must be at least four meters. In addition, the beach bars are only allowed to sell packaged food and do not serve alcohol, the state television (ERT) reported on Thursday.
Summer vacation in spite of Corona: Organized coastlines reopen in Greece
Because of the corona epidemic , swimming in the sea in Greece was only allowed on non-organized sections of the coast. The organized sections of the bathing coast shouldn't open until June. However, this resulted in people in the unorganized beaches not keeping the distances , Greek media reported.
There are strict distance rules for the reopening of the organized coastline in Greece - you probably won't see pictures like this there.
© dpa / Santi Palacios
In view of the hot air masses from the Sahara predicted by the Weather Agency (EMY) , which will reach the southern Balkans in the next few days, the organized coastal sections will now also be released in a few days. The heat peak is to be reached this weekend with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in southern Greece.
In the meantime, researchers have apparently developed new insights into the coronavirus: a simple test may warn you of serious illnesses. Vaccine research has also made progress. Among other things, the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi is working on an agent. Now a representative of the company caused outrage because he indicated that a country could order the vaccine first as soon as it was finished.
Update from May 13, 4:12 p.m .: Can the summer vacation take place or already booked vacations fall 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 have already been created for the two airports in Frankfurt and Munich , which could start immediately. The introduction of controls could then increase the volume of travel at the airports.
In April, the beach chairs in Westerland were still on the promenade due to the Corona crisis - but tourists can come back from Monday.
© dpa / Carsten Rehder
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 goal must be to coordinate the approach in Europe as best as possible, even if the situation differs from country to country. "We do not all have to go in the same rhythm, but neither do we have to race - so that we do not 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 by a suspected corona infected person at a London train station - 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 13th) 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 EU Parliament, Manfred Weber (EPP) , had previously 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.
