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In most “classic” vacation countries, restrictions have now been relaxed because of the CoV pandemic. However, the “3-G rule” applies practically everywhere when entering the country. Most countries also require electronic registration, and different regulations apply to tests. In any case, autumn vacationers should familiarize themselves with the state of affairs – especially since it can change quickly.
The decisive factor is, of course, the respective current situation with regard to the number of new infections, and that looks quite different. In Italy, with its very high vaccination coverage rate, it has now fallen significantly, while in Croatia it has recently risen. Countries such as Spain and Portugal now have a much lower infection rate than Austria.
In Italy, according to official figures, 80 percent of people over the age of twelve now have basic immunization, while people over 60 or those with previous illnesses receive a third vaccination. Since the occupancy rate of intensive care units with CoV patients – recently just under five percent – is also currently low, the situation in the country has eased. All Italians nevertheless need since Friday a “3-G” proof (“vaccinated, recovered, tested”) or the “green passport” for their workplace, which also led to fierce opposition.
Registration mandatory or at least recommended
Tourists need the “Green Pass” – the EU certificate commonly used in Austria – to visit museums, cinemas, sports facilities, restaurants and discos, for example. Travelers also need the certificate for long-distance trains, cable cars and ferries. When entering the country, online registration and the “3-G” proof are mandatory.
ID card and “green passport” (here when entering Croatia).
Croatia also requires the EU certificate or a certificate that one has been vaccinated, recovered or tested. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends registration (online), which, according to Croatian authorities, facilitates entry. Hotel operations are now back to “normal,” and spacing between tables must be maintained in restaurants and cafes.
The number of new infections in Croatia was recently around 1,850 per day – out of a population of around four million. By way of comparison, in Austria it was 2,432 on Friday, albeit with a population more than twice as large.
Large differences in mandatory masks
Registration (online) is mandatory before entering Greece. If one is not fully vaccinated, a current negative test is required, for all persons twelve years and older. The following also applies to Cyprus: the electronic “Cyprus Flight Pass” is obligatory; according to travel information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unvaccinated holidaymakers must be able to present a PCR test no more than 72 hours old for entry, and a further one must be carried out – and paid for – after arrival.
Spain could ease restrictions as infection numbers fall
In Spain and Portugal, almost all restrictions imposed because of the pandemic have now been eased again. But a digital form must still be filled out to enter the two popular vacation destinations. Those who cannot provide proof of basic immunization (and are over twelve years old) need an up-to-date test.
In Spain, masks are mandatory in public places (indoors), and outdoors only if a minimum distance of one and a half meters cannot be maintained. A mask must also be worn on buses and trains – as in Austria. In Portugal, masks are currently only compulsory in old people’s homes, hospitals and in theaters, cinemas and shopping centers. In retail outlets and restaurants, as well as outdoors, the mask may be removed.
No nightlife without “3-G
Restrictions on nightlife have now also been largely lifted because of the pandemic. However, the “3-G rule” applies to bars, clubs and discos in both countries. In Spain, the 7-day incidence, i.e. the number of new infections with the coronavirus in the past seven days per 100,000 inhabitants, was only about 20, in Portugal 40, many times lower than in Austria with a (in the case of Spain significantly) higher population.
Anyone entering France (mainland) from a country in the “green” category (EU and others) requires “3-G” proof (“pass sanitaire”). Also, access to museums, theaters and restaurants – including outdoor areas – is only available with confirmation of vaccination, convalescence or testing. Proof is also required for long-distance travel by bus and train. The rules are similar for Corsica.
Masks are mandatory in enclosed areas, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with fines of up to 135 euros for violations. Tests are no longer free – as of Friday, even for French citizens unless they are vaccinated. Precise travel planning is recommended for the French overseas territories. Here, entry requirements sometimes vary locally and according to origin, often at short notice. Infection figures have recently fallen in France, and the 7-day incidence is also significantly lower than in Austria.
Britons strict only on entry
In Great Britain, the vaccination coverage rate is high, at almost 80 percent of those over twelve years of age, but so is the number of new infections, with between 30,000 and 40,000 recently (out of a population of about 67 million). Nevertheless, the strict rules have been dropped for visits to the pub, theater and museum; they now largely apply only to entry into the country.
EU travelers with basic immunization need for Great Britain after the Brexit not only since the beginning of the month again a passport, but must book in advance a PCR test (cost at least 50 pounds or the equivalent of about 59 euros) and also make no later than two days after arrival (“day 2 COVID-19”). With the beginning of the British autumn vacations, this rule will be relaxed somewhat, as it was said on Friday. From October 24, a (cheaper) antigen test will also be sufficient. After entry, there is a quarantine obligation, for the return trip to Austria, the “3-G rule” applies.
Forgetting and giving false information costs money
In Switzerland, visitors to cultural and recreational facilities as well as guests of restaurants and bars (outdoor areas excluded) must also be able to produce a “3-G” certificate; the same applies, for example, to zoos and indoor swimming pools and all persons aged 16 and over. The EU certificate is recognized in the non-EU country Switzerland.
Before entering the country, a form must be filled out (online), after which the traveler receives a QR code that must be presented at controls. Failure to fill out the form or providing false information will cost 100 Swiss francs (about 94 euros). Non-vaccinated persons must be able to show a current negative test upon entry.
In the Netherlands, many measures taken at the height of the pandemic have now been lifted or at least relaxed. For example, the 1.5-meter rule no longer applies. However, before visiting restaurants, cultural and sporting events, people with a “green passport” must prove that they have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered. The same applies to entry into the country. A mask obligation applies only to bus, train and airports.
For Bali on the waiting list
For a destination further away, Austrians are, so to speak, on the waiting list for the time being: Bali. Indonesia allows tourists from 19 countries – if vaccinated – to enter again, as it was said on Thursday, but not those from Austria (according to the Foreign Ministry: entry “prohibited, with exceptions”). It is noteworthy that in addition to France, Spain, Sweden and New Zealand, for example, India is also on the list of these countries.
These would have, said the Pandemiebeauftragte (pandemic commisioned officer) of the government in Jakarta, Luhut Pandjaitan, after defaults of the World Health Organization (WHO) the Coronavirus under control. The Austrian Foreign Ministry gives India a high risk (level four out of six) with regard to the pandemic and advises against non-essential travel there. The same (level four) applies to Indonesia from an Austrian perspective. The highest level six (travel is warned against) applies to individual countries in Africa and South America.
Source: ORF.at/agencies/picture:pixabay.com
Links:
Current Covid 19 travel warnings (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
WHO
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