All of Portugal has been a virus variant area since Tuesday - and with it the island of Madeira.
Many vacationers reacted angrily to the decision of the RKI.
Due to the spread of the delta variant of the corona virus in Portugal, the Robert Koch Institute has classified the entire country as a virus variant area.
Holidaymakers therefore have to return to a two-week quarantine, which cannot be shortened by a negative test.
There are no exceptions for those who have been vaccinated or recovered.
This causes outrage, especially among Madeira vacationers: the island is an autonomous region of Portugal off the north-west coast of Africa, the
incidence of which is currently only around 22
.
The delta variant, on the other hand, is spreading in the capital region of Lisbon, on the mainland and in the Algarve - far away from Madeira itself. Nevertheless, the classification as a risk area also applies to the autonomous region.
Despite low incidence: Madeira vacationers affected by quarantine regulations
"I understand quarantine for travelers returning from Lisbon - but with Madeira it is really incomprehensible," said Ursula R. according to a report in the
Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (HAZ)
. Many vacationers tried to get back home before Tuesday. However, the
flight connections on Sunday and Monday were sold out within a very short time
. According to the editorial network Germany (RND), the prices for direct flights from mainland Portugal to Frankfurt with Lufthansa were 650 euros upwards, while Madeira vacationers had
to
pay
up to 1,388 euros
.
According to the HAZ, several passengers also described the service of the tour operator as "underground" and "poor".
Alternatives were offered, albeit with curious routes: "We were offered an earlier return trip - but across Europe with 50 hours of flight time," reported Ursula's daughter Nicole R. Another air traveler even described the situation after the classification of Portugal as a virus variant area as "Absolute mess".
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Virus variant area Portugal: German travel association criticizes the approach
According to estimates by the German Travel Association (DRV), around 1,000 Germans were on vacation in Portugal.
"There are not that many yet, because Portugal has only recently become easily accessible again," said DRV spokeswoman Kerstin Heinen.
The association would like
target areas to be viewed in a differentiated
manner.
It is "difficult to understand" that Madeira was declared a virus variant area with all of Portugal, although the incidence there is low.
(fk)
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