Half of Germany sits in packed suitcases. Suddenly almost normal summer travel time seems possible. If you have already booked or want to: Here is the to-do list.
The long-awaited summer vacation is imminent. Accordingly, the number of epidemics in large parts of Europe is declining. Popular holiday countries have relaxed entry rules in order to attract more tourists. Nothing stands in the way of a relatively carefree travel season. However, there are some things that holiday makers need to keep in mind.
1. Corona-lage
Despite the fall incidents, travelers need to be aware of how high the risk of infection is during the holidays. This information was provided by Robert Koch (RKI) Areas of risk, High incidence areas and virus variation areas. In Europe, there is currently a tendency for fewer and fewer countries to be high-risk areas.
On July 1, the general travel warning for danger areas that previously had a preventive effect will also fall. This changes slightly for those who like to travel. The annoying isolation duty for returning passengers from dangerous areas was lifted in May.
2. Entry requirements
If you are attracted to another European country, you should check what requirements are required to enter the respective travel country. “Travel advice from the German Foreign Office is best,” said Carolina Vojdal, of the European Consumer Center in Germany. Passengers can find out what conditions a person who has been fully vaccinated has Govit-19Apply to healed and examined. What type of corona test is required: is a rapid antigen test sufficient or should it be submitted? PCR-Test Who needs additional advance notice?
There are also instructions on how to register, which are required by many countries. “Many people forget it,” said Anke Pude, vice president of the Coalition of Independent Travel Companies. “There are countries like Portugal where you can do this quickly at the airport of departure. For example, in Greece, this must be done 24 hours before the start of your journey. Otherwise you may be fined,” explains the company owner.
Pude says the current local corona rules and entry rules are at the center of travel counseling. “There is often confusion as to which test is needed.” Families need to find out if their children need a negative test.
3. Vaccine status
Many countries now exempt vacationers from the obligation to check whether they have been fully vaccinated or have proven to have recovered from the corona. Vaccinated or active people can now go to Spain’s famous overseas destination without any other requirements. In Greece and Austria, too, these people no longer have to present a test. In Italy, however, testing is still mandatory.
What is important here is the importance of being fully vaccinated: i.e. after the second Vaccine (Pfizer / Biotech, Moderna and Astrogeneca) or a vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) must be at least 14 days old. “There may be differences here outside of Europe,” says Carolina Vojdal. For example, the last vaccination in Morocco would require four weeks. Vacationers need to accurately calculate whether they have full vaccine coverage.
4. Evidence for vaccination
Corona vaccines are included on the yellow vaccine cover. Corona Vozt also advises obtaining a corona vaccine certificate, which can then be converted to appropriate applications via QR code or barcode. The digital vaccination certificate from Germany meets the requirements for vaccination certification throughout Europe, which is currently issued in the European Union. It is available in digital and paper form.
“It is not mandatory to travel to the EU, but I assure you that the information there is consistent and that the document is accepted in other EU countries,” says Vojdal.
For those who already have two vaccines in the yellow vaccine manual, the situation is much simpler. “But what do I do if I’ve only been vaccinated once because I already have corona?” There may be difficulties in understanding and accepting the holiday goal. “There is a lot to be said for getting the certificate at least in paper form,” the consumer advises the attorney.
5. Corona rules
There has already been discussion about raising the demand for masks in Germany, but the situation may be different in other countries. “Abroad, corona rules are sometimes stricter than in Germany,” says Anke Pude. “No hotel or restaurant wants to find themselves in the newspaper. Everything is done to ensure that the rules are followed.” Some activities in hotels may be a little more familiar. “But this is all for safety,” the travel agency owner insists.
So holidaymakers should always have enough masks in addition to their swimming trunks, Pude advises. Local regulations, e.g. Restaurants and leisure facilities should also be looked after. Corona rules may also have advantages: “On excursions, for example on a boat, you have more space because occupation is less.”
It also provides information on test requirements and corona operations on site EU website.
6. Test for return to Germany
According to the Corona entry command, all holiday makers returning to Germany by plane can show a quick test of negative antigen when boarding at the departure point. It does not matter whether a country is classified as a risk area or not. Anyone returning to the car from a hazardous location should not be tested after 48 hours of return.
Vaccinated and rescued passengers are exempt from the test requirement. “If the final vaccination had been 14 days or earlier, the corona test would no longer be necessary for a return trip to Germany by air,” Anke Pude confirms. “Vaccine card is enough.”
Pude advises everyone else to find out where the testing centers are on the site. “It’s best to ask at the hotel, they’ll know it.” When should you take care of it? “Some people organize it from home, while others do it on site on very short notice.” That too depends on the infrastructure in the target.
7. Travel insurance
Holidaymakers should check if they have taken out travel health insurance. This includes costs not covered by legal health insurance for medical treatment required abroad. This also applies to disease with Govit-19, unless infections are excluded under insurance conditions.
8. Be careful
Although Corona seems to be behind us in practice: “Holidaymakers need to be careful. Local hotspots may continue to emerge,” says Carolina Vojdal. “Anyone who travels now can do it, and conditions will be much worse. But I can’t expect it to return to normal.”
Anke Pude says: “You should look forward to your vacation now – albeit with a little more bureaucracy than usual.”
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”
