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Entry into Austria, Switzerland and the USA: regulations due to coronavirus

2021-12-23T14:13:58.965Z


Only those who have been vaccinated three times or twice with a PCR test can travel to Austria. Switzerland and France, on the other hand, also allow unvaccinated people into the country and onto the ski slopes. The overview shows what travelers in Europe and overseas need when entering the country.


Skiers on the Matterhorn:

Switzerland also lets unvaccinated tourists into the country.

As in Portugal or Spain, travelers only need a current negative PCR or antigen test when entering the country

Photo: epa Keystone Jean-Christophe Bot / picture-alliance / dpa

The Omikron wave is rolling: Some countries have already pulled the rip cord and responded with strict measures such as the closure of shops and leisure facilities. Traveling will also be much more difficult. However, the countries are affected to different degrees by the corona pandemic - and the rules in the fight against Covid-19 are also very different:

Austria:

A

triple vaccination has been a requirement for entry

since Monday

. Those who do not have a booster vaccination must submit a PCR test, as do those who have recovered. Older school-age children are allowed to go on vacation with sufficient test evidence. That means: around three tests a week. The rules do not affect children under the age of twelve. After a lockdown in the past few weeks, the seven-day incidence is currently around 200. Shops, cultural institutions and restaurants are open again, bars and après-ski bars are closed. On December 27, the curfew will be brought forward from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. - including on New Year's Eve.

Switzerland:

Everyone - including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered - needs

a negative PCR or antigen rapid test to enter the country. Unvaccinated people then have to do a second test

. There are no quarantine regulations. Winter sports go with 3G. But 2G applies in huts, restaurants and at cultural events, i.e. access only for vaccinated and convalescent people, but not for those who have been tested. The facilities can voluntarily dispose of 2G +. This means: free access for people who have been vaccinated in the past four months, for the others a negative test is also required. Masks are required in public transport and indoors. Most recently, more than 1,350 out of 100,000 people were infected within 14 days.

Netherlands:

The Netherlands is

in a tough lockdown

to slow down the rapid spread of the Omikron variant. Shops, restaurants, schools, cultural and sports facilities are closed. Exceptions apply to supermarkets or pharmacies. At home, the Dutch should receive a maximum of two guests, at Christmas and New Year's Eve a maximum of four. Outside, too, the rule is that only two people are allowed to be together. Otherwise, the distance rule of 1.5 meters applies and a mask is required in publicly accessible rooms.

Belgium:

After record highs at the end of November, the number of infections is falling again. The 14-day incidence was recently still well over 1000. The corona measures have recently been tightened. Around 76 percent of Belgians have full basic protection, a good 30 percent have been boosted.

Entrants from Germany must fill out a form online and be fully vaccinated or have recovered.

Alternatively, they can show a negative test and get tested again after a week

. The gastronomy has to close at 11 p.m., there is no exception on New Year's Eve. The government recommends limiting social contact over the festive season and testing yourself. Indoor gatherings and events - except in private homes - are largely prohibited.

Denmark

: Always new record values ​​for new infections, the currently

highest incidence in the EU and rapidly increasing Omicron numbers

: Denmark is currently in a particularly difficult situation. The government has countered with some strict restrictions, including cinemas, theaters, zoos and amusement parks. Discos are also closed. Entry is still possible, but from December 27th you have to be in possession of a negative corona test, regardless of your vaccination status. There are exceptions for residents of Schleswig-Holstein, among others. Since Denmark was recently classified as a high risk area, stricter rules also apply when returning to Germany.

France:

Unvaccinated persons must present

a negative PCR or antigen test that is not older than 24 hours for entry

. When visiting museums, restaurants or ski stations, 3G applies. Anyone traveling by coach or long-distance train must also be recovered, vaccinated or tested in the previous 24 hours. If a lot of people meet outside, a mask is required. For New Year's Eve, the government is urging cities and municipalities to ban fireworks, concerts and alcohol consumption on public roads. There are no restrictions for private meetings. Most recently, around 545 out of 100,000 people across the country were infected within a week.

Italy:

If you want to go into the country, you have to pay attention to the obligation to test - even vaccinated people. The government requires

a negative PCR test that is valid for 48 hours or a rapid antigen test that is valid for 24 hours. Unvaccinated people are quarantined for five days.

On Tuesday, the authorities recorded around 30,800 new infections and more than 150 deaths. Huts, restaurants, bars and theaters are open, but 2G applies inside. 3G applies in museums and closed ski lifts. The division into zones is also important: some regions in the north, including Bolzano-South Tyrol, are in the yellow zone. That means: mask compulsory also in the open air. This also applies to the inner cities of Rome, Milan or Turin.

Great Britain:

There are high hurdles for traveling there and back. When entering the country, you have to prove a negative test and also book a PCR test upon arrival.

Quarantine is mandatory

until the result

. Travelers from Germany have to isolate themselves even longer after their return: Because Great Britain is again considered a virus variant area, you have to be in quarantine for 14 days - regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not. A negative test must also be presented. In addition, only people who are Germans or live in Germany are allowed to be transported.

Turkey:

Around 20,000 new corona cases are currently reported there every day. In many public places it is mandatory to wear a mask. There are no official rules for private meetings. Travelers using airplanes, long-distance buses and trains need proof of vaccination. The same applies to concerts, theaters and cinemas. 3G applies to entry from Germany.

Poland:

The neighboring country is classified by the federal government as a high-risk area. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health reported 18,021 new infections within 24 hours and 775 deaths.

When entering from the Schengen area, there is a ten-day quarantine obligation.

Fully vaccinated, convalescent and travelers with a current negative test result are excluded.

In restaurants, hotels and cultural and leisure facilities, the capacity is restricted to a maximum of 30 percent. If the operators want to let more people in, they are actually obliged to check the vaccination records. Clubs and discos are closed until January 17th, with an exception for New Year's Eve.

USA:

In the United States, the omicron variant is now dominant - the number of new infections is skyrocketing.

If you want to enter from Europe, you need a current negative test. In addition, foreign nationals usually also have to provide evidence of a full vaccination before they can travel by plane to the USA.

There are no restrictions on private meetings - restaurants or shops are usually open as well.

Spain:

The country has not tightened its entry regulations so far. Travelers from the EU must complete a digital travel registration.

In addition, evidence must be provided for everyone over the age of twelve that they have been vaccinated twice (or once in the case of Johnson & Johnson), have recovered or have been tested.

A PCR test must not be more than 72

hours ago

, and

a rapid antigen test not more than 48 hours ago

. In the country itself, the mask requirement is to be reintroduced shortly, also outdoors. In many regions, the 3G rule applies - vaccinated, recovered or tested - when entering restaurants and other leisure facilities. Only Catalonia has placed a night-time restriction on going out, closing nightlife and limiting the number of participants in private meetings. There are also restrictions on meetings within your own four walls in the Canary Islands.

Portugal:

There are basically the same entry requirements as for Spain.

However, vaccinated persons must also present a negative test, which in the case of a PCR must not be older than 72 hours and in the case of a

rapid antigen test it must not be older than 48 hours.

Because of the rapidly increasing corona numbers, discos and bars have to close on Saturday.

In addition, the obligation to test when entering public interiors will also be extended to hotels and guesthouses, among other things.

On New Year's Eve, a maximum of ten people are allowed to gather outdoors and not consume alcohol.

In public indoor areas as well as buses and trains, a mask is required.

la / dpa-afx

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-12-23

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