In which distant countries is travel possible now?

What should vacationers take into account when making their long-distance trips?

It’s a small ray of hope for vacationers and the travel industry: the general travel advisory for around 160 countries outside the EU and the Schengen area ended on October 1. But that does not mean that now all trips are possible without restrictions. Because from now on there will be individual travel warnings for individual countries, depending on the infection situation on the site. In which countries is it possible to vacation again from now on? And what should vacationers take into account now when making their long-distance trip?

We explain how the Federal Foreign Office’s new travel traffic light system works, in which long-distance travel country vacations are now conceivable, and what entry requirements vacationers can expect there. Also, RTL travel expert Ralf Benkö reveals what you should definitely consider when booking.

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This is how the new traffic light system works

The global travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office has now been replaced by a tripartite classification, comparable to a traffic light system:

• “Putrefaction”: For some countries, a travel advisory still applies if the federal government classifies them as a risk area. This happens when the number of people infected by corona per 100,000 inhabitants increases to more than 50.
• “Yellow” These include countries where the Federal Foreign Office advises against tourist travel. The reasons for this may be, among other things, that entry is only possible to a certain extent or that vacationers have to quarantine upon entering.
• “Green”: The travel warning is lifted for countries with a low number of cases and unrestricted travel options. However, the Federal Foreign Office also advises special caution.

What the traffic light system does not reveal …

For tourists, it should be noted that the new traffic light system does not influence the way the respective countries regulate entry into their country.

• So there is for Thailand For example, there is no travel advisory, but a full entry ban applies to one’s own country. It is currently not possible to go on vacation there.
• Also to travel to Tunisia there is no official warning. However: anyone traveling to Tunisia from Germany must immediately go into a 14-day home quarantine. However, the quarantine obligation can be waived by booking a tour package, as explained to us by the tour operator FTI on request.
• Also for Sri Lanka there is no longer a travel warning. Colombo International Airport remains closed to incoming international passenger flights, so entry is currently not possible.
  

+++ Autumn Holidays with Corona: There are currently no travel advisories for these EU holiday countries. +++

Book your vacation now? RTL travel expert explains what to watch out for

Ralf Benkö, travel expert at RTL, advises travel lovers to check carefully before booking why the Foreign Ministry advises against a holiday destination and what restrictions exist. You may have to prove a negative PCR test, have to do a health check upon arrival, have to register your trip in advance and only allow you to go on vacation in special hotels. But it may also be that you have to complete a quarantine in all cases. es “, explains Benkö. It is also advisable to check with the embassy of the destination country to avoid surprises.

If you’re already looking for the best vacation bargains, you should wait a few days until the organizers have adjusted to the new situation, advises the travel expert. “I know that the major German tour operators are now carefully examining which trips are realistic and will soon be able to be offered again on long-haul routes,” says Benkö. “So now you can keep your eyes open and wait to see what options are next. The Seychelles, for example, have somewhat weaker entry conditions, including individual destinations in the Caribbean.” The tour operator FTI, for example, is already offering trips to Tunisia and Curaçao again.

+++ Many travel destinations require a Corona PCR test – this is how tourists can get their test! +++

What long-distance travel destinations are now possible

You crave the wanderlust and really want to book soon? We will tell you which countries you can now travel to again and what you should urgently consider before entering the country.

Seychelles

For the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, there are currently a low number of corona cases. no travel warning. However, the Federal Foreign Office advises against tourist trips due to extensive entry restrictions.

Tourists must respect these entry restrictions:

• Travelers must present a negative PCR corona test, which must be no more than 72 hours old upon departure.
• Additionally, proof of certified accommodation is required for the entire stay. Accommodation can only be changed once within the first seven days of your stay.
• You must also have travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 illnesses.
• Tourists also need a so-called “Travel Health Authorization”, a health permit, which must be applied for between 72 hours and three hours before departure via the official website of the Seychelles government.
• A health check is carried out at the entrance.
• According to a statement from DER Touristik to RTL, “the Seychelles is expected to be one of the first long-distance travel destinations to be accessible again from the beginning of November.” DER Touristik is currently developing a coordinated reset concept for the Seychelles in cooperation with the destination area, as well as airlines, hotels and destination agencies, which ensures the safety of the entire travel chain, from departure to entry, the stay at the hotel, the excursions and the return trip.

Old and bearded

For the Caribbean archipelago of Antigua and Barbuda it currently exists due to the low number of infections no travel warning. However, the Federal Foreign Office advises against tourist trips due to entry restrictions.

This is what vacationers have to do when they enter:

• A negative PCR test must be presented upon admission, which must not be older than 7 days.
• There is also a health exam with temperature measurement. If travelers show symptoms of Covid-19, they stay in isolation.
• Additionally, travelers should be prepared for random checks and corona tests by local health authorities within the first 14 days of their stay.

Pomegranate

For the Caribbean state of Granada, there is currently a low number of cases no travel warning. However, the Federal Foreign Office advises against tourist trips due to existing entry restrictions.

This is what vacationers have to do when they enter:

• All travelers must submit a negative test no longer than 7 days and complete an official online health form at least 24 hours prior to entry.
• Whether vacationers are required to go to mandatory quarantine upon entry depends on the infection rate in the country of origin. Information on the current procedure by country of entry can be found on the websites of the Granada Ministry of Health and the Granada Tourism Authority.

S t. Lucy

There are also updates for the Caribbean destination Saint Lucia no travel warning. The Federal Foreign Office advises against tourist travel due to existing entry restrictions.

This is what vacationers have to do when they enter:

• Travelers must submit an online “Trip Registration” form at least three days prior to entry.
• A negative PCR test must be carried on entry, which must not be more than seven days old.
• Travelers must stay at an approved hotel they book for the entire period of stay. This is the only way to waive the quarantine requirement.
  
• For tourists, tours and sightseeing are only allowed if carried out with certified tour operators. Otherwise, you are not allowed to leave the hotel area during the entire stay.

Barbados

For the Caribbean island of Barbados there are currently no travel warning of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. But even here, vacation travel is not recommended due to existing entry restrictions.

This is what tourists should do when entering:

• Vacationers must complete an online form up to 24 hours prior to entry.
• In addition, a negative PCR test must be presented upon admission, which should not be older than 72 hours.
• Travelers from countries with a medium risk of infection, which currently includes Germany, are officially monitored for a maximum of 14 days. The inspection only ends if a new negative corona test is presented between 5 and 7 days after entry.
• If no proof is presented upon entry, you must do so immediately. Until a negative test result is available, travelers must isolate themselves.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

For Saint Vincent and the Grenadines there are currently no travel warning. However, the Federal Foreign Office advises against vacation travel due to ongoing entry restrictions.

This is what tourists should do when entering:

• An online form must be completed prior to enrollment.
• Travelers from medium-risk countries, including Germany today, must present a negative PCR test before entering the country. It should not be more than five days old.
• A new Covid-19 test is carried out after entry. Until the negative result occurs, travelers must remain in quarantine.

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