Corona: Difficult vacation also in Germany
Lisa Weidner studied German and sociology and completed several journalistic internships. She is a volunteer at Hubert Burda Media Verlag and writes for the "Meine Familie und Ich" magazine and on nutrition and health topics.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.
A few weeks ago you could still plan your autumn vacation at the Baltic Sea or in the Alps without any problems. This is now difficult for travelers from Corona hotspots. What exactly was decided? And what does that mean for a vacation that has already been booked?
On Wednesday, the federal and state governments agreed on rules for travel within Germany due to the increase in the number of new infections with the coronavirus detected every day and an increase in "particularly affected areas" in Germany.
Accordingly, domestic German holidaymakers from risk areas may only be accommodated if they can show a negative corona test that is no more than 48 hours old. This should take effect for travelers from areas with more than 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days. Five countries reserve their own approach.
Joint decision paper by the federal and state governments
Citizens from places with very high numbers of corona infections have to be prepared for considerable difficulties when traveling on vacation within Germany. Specifically, the federal-state agreement includes the following points:
- It is stated that the increase in numbers "must be countered consistently", above all in order to keep the economy, schools and daycare centers running.
- Previous resolutions by the federal and state governments in May, June and July and the corresponding "hotspot strategy" are confirmed. Accordingly, restrictions are issued if the number of new corona infections in a district exceeds the limit of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants in the past seven days.
- Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to and from particularly affected areas.
- The majority of countries agree to stipulate that tourists from such areas may only be accommodated in a hotel if they can present a negative test that is no more than two days old. Such "free testing" for travel should only be possible if there are enough test options available. Tests to maintain the education system, for example, have priority.
Countries disagree
The newly resolved restrictions on overnight stays by travelers from domestic risk areas have met with mixed feedback from politicians and city representatives. "We have known since the summer holidays at the latest that travel leads in particular to the fact that chains of infection could no longer be manageable," said Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) on Wednesday evening in the ARD "Tagesthemen".
In view of the "alarming" trend in the number of cases, the German Association of Cities even spoke out in favor of even stricter corona measures. Thuringia's state government, on the other hand, regards the newly resolved tightening as nonsensical and made it clear that it does not want to support a ban on accommodation. At least Berlin doesn't want to get in right away. Lower Saxony and Bremen want to check.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on the other hand, wants to stick to even stricter quarantine rules. "Eleven countries are already involved, some countries still need coordination within the state government, so I already have the hope that more countries will join," said Günther. With the regulation that has now been made, the situation is much clearer.
Bavaria is one of the supporters of the decision, with a ban on accommodation for travelers from German risk areas such as the four Berlin districts, Bremen and the cities of Hamm and Remscheid in North Rhine-Westphalia. Those who enter from one of the inner-German corona hotspots and can show a negative corona test are still welcome, according to Munich.
Which cancellation rules apply?
For travelers from areas with high numbers of corona infections, accommodation bans suddenly apply in many places in Germany. But what if the vacation has long been booked and paid for? An overview:
Hotels and apartments
This raises the question of whether vacationers have to pay cancellation fees if they cancel their stay. Because travelers can escape the ban on accommodation by showing a negative corona test. The German Vacation Home Association explains on request whether the test is reasonable for the guest, but opinions can be divided. There are still no court rulings. After all, the current pandemic with its consequences for tourism is unprecedented. One thing is certain: the test costs money and cannot be obtained quickly everywhere.
Due to the unclear legal situation, the association recommends reaching an amicable agreement with the host - for example, postponing the stay free of charge on a goodwill basis. In case of doubt, the courts have to decide in the end - unless an accommodating agreement can be found with the host. If you are still booking a hotel at short notice for the autumn holidays, it is better to choose an accommodation with a free cancellation option up to one day before departure to be on the safe side.
Train travel
Flex-price tickets from Deutsche Bahn can be exchanged or canceled free of charge up to the first day of validity. Saver fare tickets can be canceled up to the first day of validity for 10 euros. Passengers receive a cancellation voucher that is valid for three years and can be used for later journeys. Seat reservations can be exchanged once free of charge.
According to Deutsche Bahn, super saver price tickets cannot be exchanged or canceled. The same applies to country tickets and cross-country tickets. Exceptions are tickets that have been booked up to and including March 13th - i.e. before the pandemic. The well-known exchange and cancellation rules for the super saver price continue to apply, as a spokesman for the railway confirmed on request. There are currently no special exceptions in view of the new rules for travelers from Corona risk areas. Deutsche Bahn recommends booking cancellable tickets.
Flights
Basically: If a flight takes place, the traveler cannot simply return his ticket without cancellation fees. Anyone who has booked a domestic flight to a holiday destination that is no longer worthwhile should check whether they can rebook free of charge.
When asked, Lufthansa refers to the currently favorable conditions: The rebooking fees were abolished by December 31, 2020. All tariffs and ticket prices from Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines can be rebooked as often as required free of charge. Other airlines also offer rebooking free of charge.
Is a vacation abroad an alternative?
No, traveling abroad is anything but easy. After the list of corona risk areas has been updated, the bottom line is that there are only a few countries left for which travel is neither warned nor advised against. These include the popular holiday destinations Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta.
On Wednesday evening, the federal government declared all of Romania, Tunisia, Georgia and Jordan as well as individual regions in seven EU countries to be risk areas. In addition, all five Dutch provinces that border Germany are now also affected. For the first time, parts of Slovakia were declared risk areas. In Slovenia, the capital Ljubljana was added, as well as regions in Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania and Bulgaria. The Foreign Office also issued a travel warning for all of these areas. (lw / dpa)
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