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The planned border openings in Europe in mid-June give rise to the hope that, contrary to expectations, the summer holidays may also be spent abroad. Some countries are preparing, others still have to overcome great obstacles. A general vision
Austria – most likely travel
Relief is great in Austria. Many tourists had already booked their summer stay in the land of mountains and lakes before the Corona crisis. There are many indications that they can now travel there.
Germans are by far the most important group of guests. You come across a country with extremely low crown numbers today. Major tourist facilities such as museums, mountain railways and amusement parks are expected to reopen in the coming weeks.
As of Friday, this also includes the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, which was once inhabited by Empress Sisi. However, visitors must wear nose and mouth protection. The cultural scene still hangs in midair. Theaters, musicians and festivals are still unsure when, when and under what conditions they can play again in front of an audience.
[Alle aktuellen Entwicklungen in Folge der Coronavirus-Pandemie finden Sie hier in unserem Newsblog. Über die Entwicklungen speziell in Berlin halten wir Sie an dieser Stelle auf dem Laufenden.]
Italy – absurd discussion on the rules on the beach
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has given his own compatriots hope for a summer beach vacation. But if and when foreign tourists can return to Italy, it’s still in the stars. In any case, South Tyrol has already rushed and will open hotels again in late May, and will attract German tourists.
Meanwhile, the country is lost in sometimes absurd discussions about distance rules on the beach, in the sea and for children who dig in the sand. Lido operators oppose suggestions that the umbrella rows should be separated by up to five meters or that the sunbeds should be disinfected after each change.
Access should only be given with advance reservations. At the moment, however, this is still a long way off: even Italians are still not allowed to travel from one region to another.
Spain: even national travel is prohibited
Any plan for Spain in the summer of 2020 remains volatile for international vacation guests. Until now the limits have been closed. Even Spaniards are still prohibited from traveling to other regions of their country.
In addition, as of May 15, foreign visitors to Spain must remain in quarantine for two weeks. The measurement should be applied until the corona alarm condition ends.
However, there is a gradual relaxation, even if it is still unclear what that means for tourism. At least in parts of the country, the reopening of hotels was allowed under strict conditions. “The impact of Covid-19 on tourism is simply brutal,” wrote the newspaper “El Periódico.”
But at least: starting in June, Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings want to send vacation planes to the Balearic island of Mallorca, which is less affected by the virus.
Greece – Tourism should be possible from July 1
Athens wants to allow all movements within the country from May 18. Tourism must start again from July 1. At seaside resorts, loungers and umbrellas by the pool or on the beach should be three to five meters away.
There is much debate about whether meals should be served buffet style or on the table. To keep the virus from spreading, beds in rooms should not be made daily.
Tourism is extremely important to the country that had left behind its great economic crisis. More recently, 33 million tourists arrived in the year. The industry anticipated sales of more than € 22 billion in 2020. It should now be no more than € 2 billion. About 65 percent of hoteliers fear not opening this summer.
France – first open beaches
For two months, the French were only allowed to see their often beautiful beaches from a distance. With the loosening of the exit restrictions, that changes now.
Regional authorities decide which beaches in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the North Sea are reopened. Two beaches for swimming and fishing have already been opened in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France; others in the north and south of the country must follow.
There is still a ban on traveling to the Mediterranean island of Corsica, at the moment tourists are not allowed. No opening date has been set for hotels, restaurants and cafes. It will only be decided in late May.
Even with places like the Eiffel Tower, it is unclear when tourists can revisit it. Large museums like the Louvre in Paris are unlikely to open until September. Smaller museums can welcome visitors again.
Turkey – hope for tourists as early as June
Turkey is gradually loosening the crown measures and preparing for an openness to tourism. Meanwhile, travel restrictions only apply to 15 instead of 31 cities and provinces as before.
The country plans to start domestic travel in late May and hopes to attract international tourists in June.
Strict crown requirements must apply to hotels and restaurants. Distance and hygiene rules must be observed, for example, and staff must receive pandemic training. Turkey has developed a certification program for this.
After opening for international flights, the crown tests will take place at border crossings, for example at the Antalya airport. Semi-state airline Turkish Airlines recently extended its flight stop until May 28.
Croatia – holiday travel already allowed informally
Croatia, which relies heavily on tourism, with its long coastline rich with bays and many islands, is vigorously pressing for the opening of Europe’s borders.
The relaxed entry requirements have been in place since May 9. According to this, foreigners with three reasons can cross the border without a crown test and without quarantine requirements: if they own a property or a boat in Croatia, if they travel to a funeral or if they have an invitation from a company and arrive at their entrance There is economic interest.
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An informal directive from the Home Office states that the last provision also applies to vacationers who have booked accommodation in Croatia. Authorities are also working on new rules to avoid large crowds of people on the beaches.
Netherlands – first open bungalow park
Holidays in Holland are possible again. The bungalow parks are already gradually opening their doors and the apartments are being rented again. Starting July 1, all campsites and holiday parks must be reopened completely.
Until now, this was only limited. For example, the showers and toilets in the camps had to remain closed. The sanitary facilities will also reopen on July 1 at beaches and natural parks.
Museums can receive visitors again from June 1, provided they register online in advance. Restaurants, cafes, beach pavilions and pubs can serve a maximum of 30 guests. From July up to 100 guests are allowed.
Poland – border controls until at least June 12
The country will maintain border controls with other EU countries until June 12. Foreigners are not allowed. So far there are exceptions for people with permanent residence permits, for truckers and diplomats.
Hotels and shopping malls have reopened on May 4. In one more step to end the blockade, restaurants and cafes can reopen starting next Monday (May 18).
However, there must be a minimum distance of two meters between the tables. Cooks and wineries are also required to wear nose and mouth protection. Also starting next Monday, hairdressing salons and beauty salons can be opened.
Egypt – Hotels already open to domestic tourists
It’s also unclear when normalcy will return to popular beach resorts like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Hotels can now reopen for local vacationers with 25 percent occupancy and from June 1 with 50 percent occupancy.
Among other things, hotels must provide disinfectants at the entrance and disinfect guests’ luggage upon arrival and departure. When borders are reopened, airports must also ensure that travelers can maintain a minimum distance from each other.
Experts estimate that the Egyptian tourism industry is losing $ 1 billion a month from the pandemic. (dpa)
