Sun, beach and sea: Germans love to go on vacation in Italy. But what is possible in Corona summer - and what should travelers pay special attention to?
- Holidays in Italy are simply a part of it for many Germans in summer.
- In Corona summer, however, travelers must expect restrictions.
- You will find an overview of what needs to be considered.
After the devastating consequences of the Corona pandemic, Italy wants to quickly revive its important tourism sector . The borders have been open again since June 3, 2020, since then people can move freely between the 20 Italian regions. Since June 15, the federal government has lifted the travel warning for 27 European countries, including Italy.
Entry to Italy: you have to consider that
If you want to travel from Germany to Italy by car, you have to drive through Switzerland or Austria.
Limits :
The border between Germany and Austria is freely passable , whereas the border from Austria to Italy will only be freely passable again on June 16, 2020. This is reported by the ADAC.
The border between Switzerland and Germany and Switzerland and Italy , on the other hand, are freely passable, although Switzerland recommends not to travel to Italy and refers to the Infection Protection Act.
Refuel :
In Austria, refueling is currently prohibited for German drivers coming from Italy . There are fines of up to 1450 euros for violations .
In Switzerland, refueling stops or other short breaks are allowed in transit .
Driving :
If you come from the same household, you can travel in the car in Italy without a face mask . Only people from the same household are allowed on mopeds, as no distance can be maintained here. People from different households must wear face masks when sitting together in the car.
Read here : With these tricks you can go on vacation in Italy at the weekend - from home.
Holidays in Italy: These rules apply in summer 2020
Keep your distance, put on masks, stay alert: this summer, vacation in Italy is not as we know it. Due to the corona pandemic, special caution is also required during the summer . What you have to consider in detail during your holiday in Italy:
Restaurants and cafes :
Cafés and restaurants welcome guests again. There is usually a mask requirement : guests must bring their own mask and wear it during their stay in the restaurant. It may only be removed for eating. It is also mandatory for restaurants to provide disinfectant spray. Buffets are prohibited.
Attractions :
Tourist magnets such as the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the cathedrals in Milan and Florence , the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the archaeological site of Pompeii have been open again since May . For tourists, the corona pandemic has the advantage that the sights are not as crowded this year as usual.
Hotels and campsites :
Buffets are also prohibited in hotels. Hotel operations in Italy are gradually starting up again and the houses are preparing for the applicable hygiene measures.
Airports and train stations :
At airports, train stations, museums and other public places, travelers can expect fever scanners.
Distance requirement :
In general, a distance requirement of one meter applies in Italy, in South Tyrol it is even two meters. In some areas, violations can result in a fine of between 400 and 3000 euros . For example, for those who do not wear a mask on public transport .
Cinema, theater and concerts :
On June 15th cinemas, theaters and opera houses will also be allowed to open again. However, many concerts are canceled in the long term. Health rules continue to apply, which are usually stricter than in Germany.
Read here : Summer vacation in Italy? Minister warns: "Be careful if things go on like this ...".
Italy advertises beauty without quarantine after Corona lockdown for German tourists
"Come on vacation in Italy !" The words with which the Italian government is wooing German tourists these days sound almost pleading. Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio gave an interview to the Bild newspaper to ensure that vacationers from Germany would be welcomed with a smile. The German-Italian tensions at the height of the Corona crisis - they seem forgotten.
For one thing, Chancellor Angela Merkel has now promised billions in aid. On the other hand, Italy's tourism industry is urgently dependent on income from Germans who love to travel . According to the Coldiretti Association, there are seven million who spend their free time on their boots during a normal summer. Germany has by far the most foreign guests in the Mediterranean state.
But this summer, it is clear, will be anything but normal. Italy, at least since Goethe a country of longing for the Germans, has to contend with dramatic image problems because of the corona epidemic. The more than 34,000 dead are heavy on the peninsula. Despite thousands of kilometers of coastline and dozens of world heritage sites, it is currently not particularly attractive. The images of coffin convoys from Bergamo have burned themselves too much into the collective memory . The lockdown initiated at the beginning of March brought the tourism industry lost revenue of 20 billion euros. In the long run, of course, this cannot be sustained - Corona or not.
The government is now making every effort to correct the bleak picture. With regard to summer business, the motto is: save what can be saved. Because in the international competition for paying travel customers with hard bandages, there were sometimes less pleasing phrases: "If someone wants to treat us like a hospital," Di Maio wrote indignantly on Facebook, the Italians would not put up with it. A number of EU countries had previously resisted reopening the borders to Italy.
The urge did not fail. Germany has approximately the travel warning for Italy 15th . Canceled June . Basically, nothing stands in the way of a summer vacation on Lake Garda. The municipality of Limone sul Garda, for example, describes itself as "absolutely safe" when it comes to Corona. Guests would have to keep the mandatory safety distance, but wearing protective masks on the beach or in restaurants was not necessary.
The advertising is flanked by numerous easing and initiatives . Because the number of infections has dropped drastically, freedom of travel has reigned throughout the country since June 3. Anyone who comes from an EU country is no longer required to be quarantined. As of Monday, cinemas, theaters and opera houses will also be allowed to reopen.
Read here : Country advertises itself as "soon corona-free vacation country" - vacation season starts on July 1st.
"Beauty in Italy has never been quarantined"
"The beauty of Italy has never been in quarantine, " said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Indeed, world-class cultural attractions continue to lure. And they can be viewed without crowds. Venice, which is usually overcrowded, is happy about every single guest. The reopened Vatican Museums offer guided tours for small groups by prior arrangement. The same applies to the Colosseum. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence has also been opening its doors since the beginning of the month. The German museum director Eike Schmidt spoke of an "important and symbolic signal".
The Catholic Church is also helping to " enable tourism to be reborn in Italy" . The bishops of Emilia-Romagna recently pledged their "closeness and support" to the industry. Responsible travel can have a healing effect in the Corona period, which is characterized by distrust and fear. Regardless of whether it is day trips or visits to diocesan museums - "We are at your side," said the bishops.
Regardless of the spiritual support, experts expect all kinds of problems in the next few months . Many see the main difficulty in getting traffic, logistics and transport going again in good time. Only with sufficient flight offers can the economic damage be kept within limits. The tourism summer is said to be an "absolute last minute business".
Also interesting : The special thing about vacationing in Croatia - what travelers need to know now.
sca / AFP / dpa
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