Is the summer wave looming?
In which holiday countries the corona numbers are rising again
Created: 06/13/2022, 15:50
By: Franziska Kaindl
In many countries, most of the Corona measures have been abolished - much to the delight of summer vacationers.
In fact, the incidence is increasing again in some regions.
This year, a normal summer holiday seems within reach again: Numerous European travel destinations have abolished the obligation to register and 3G proof of entry, and even the obligation to wear a mask is history in many places.
The corona pandemic is largely becoming less important in people's minds - but it's not quite over yet.
This is shown by the increasing number of corona cases, which are currently primarily triggered by the omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5.
Vacation in Portugal: Corona incidence is increasing again
In Portugal, the incidences are increasing again despite a high vaccination rate of almost 87 percent - recently they reached a value of 1,605.2 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants (as of June 8).
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), this makes it
the country with the currently highest incidence in Europe
.
The new omicron sub-variant is said to have been detected in 80 percent of new infections, according to the
Tagesschau
reported.
According to current knowledge, however, no severe course of the disease was found in most of those infected.
As far as entry is concerned, there are somewhat stricter rules in Portugal than in other European countries.
Air travelers aged 12 and over must present an
EU digital Covid certificate
showing full vaccination, recovery or testing.
Anyone who cannot present the certificate must present either a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours ago or a negative rapid antigen test no more than 48 hours ago.
Slightly different rules apply to the Azores.
When entering Portugal by land, travelers do not have to follow any rules.
In the country itself, masks will only be compulsory for access to local public transport, taxis and health facilities.
There are no access restrictions.
In Portugal, the incidences are increasing again.
© Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/Imago
After corona loosening: Austria with increasing incidence
During the corona pandemic, Austria introduced, among other things, the strictest corona measures - even compulsory vaccination was decided in February 2022.
Since then, the country has undergone a change and
almost all requirements have been lifted, and compulsory vaccination has been suspended
.
When entering the country, 3G proof no longer has to be presented and the entry form is no longer required.
During the stay, masks are only compulsory in health facilities and on public transport in Vienna.
Access restrictions for public, closed rooms have been eliminated.
The number of cases in Austria has recently been increasing again: The Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) recently reported an incidence of 287.2 (as of June 12), after the value was 171 at the end of May.
"It can be assumed that we are now
entering a phase with a higher incidence
again,
" said complexity researcher Peter Klimek, according
to
oe24.at.
The background to the increasing number of cases could therefore be a “declining immunity” within the population, protective measures lifted and the increasing spread of the omicron subtype BA.5 in Austria.
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Vacation in Germany: omicron subtypes could soon predominate
Many Germans want to go on holiday in their own country again this year.
The Baltic Sea and North Sea are among the top travel destinations, but the 9-euro ticket also makes visiting other regions more attractive.
In a European comparison, however, Germany is one of the countries with the highest incidences.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recently recorded an incidence of 331.8 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, and
the number of new infections has been rising again since the beginning of June
.
According to the last weekly report, the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 account for the largest growth.
The experts therefore predict that the subtypes will account for the majority of new infections in a few weeks.
Although "seasonal effects" would ensure that transmissions fell in summer, these could not compensate for the spread of the new subvariants if rules of conduct were neglected.
(fk)