Tourism in Europe: PCR test for those who return to Germany, fine for those who leave Great Britain

Pending the arrival of the Digital Green Certificate, better known as the “vaccine passport”, which has been discussed here, something is moving both in Italy and in some European countries. There is good news for Italian vacationers, as reported by Astoi Confindustria Viaggi, the national association of tour operating. You can go on a cruise, with a double swab before departure, and transfers to airports and ports are allowed, even in restricted areas, to reach some EU countries and part of the Schengen agreement. To find out what they are, just refer to list C of the DPCM (the Prime Minister’s decree) of March 2021, 2^nd: among them Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, just to give some examples.

Unfortunately, the situation in Germany is a little less rosy, even if not as in the United Kingdom. Here, the new rules, contained in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021, state that no one can leave Great Britain to travel to a destination outside the UK or be present at a point of embarkation without having a valid reason to travel: work or study, health or family emergencies. The restrictions do not affect Ireland. Anyone who breaks these rules will face a hefty fine of £ 5,000, which equates to just over € 5,800.

Cross-border travel, if not for valid reasons, was already banned until May 17, but if Parliament approves the new laws on Corona tomorrow, these will come into force from March 29 and extend the ban until June 30, 2021. In this way, the British will not be able to go on holiday abroad before the beginning of July.

Germany is a little less drastic, but has nevertheless set several stakes to hinder travel not only abroad, but also at home. First of all, Chancellor Angela Merkel extended the “hard” lockdown, which will continue until April 18, by another month. And, at the same time, the German government, despite not having placed any real bans, has strongly advised against all travel, even within the country, unless strictly necessary. Furthermore, those who return home, without making distinctions on the place of origin, are obliged to present a PCR test (molecular swab), which must be carried out immediately before returning.