The federal government wants in the Corona pandemic initially no easing for long-distance travel. According to SPIEGEL information, the strict warning for all tourist trips to be extended abroad on Wednesday by the Federal Cabinet, at least until June 14. The has a corresponding proposal for a resolution Foreign Office (AA) voted shortly before the cabinet meeting among the federal ministries.
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This means that anyone who has booked a trip abroad at Pentecost can cancel it now and rely on the travel warning from the Federal Foreign Office. This applies particularly to the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt, where traditionally long Pentecost holidays apply.
However, the paper from the AA leaves open whether holiday trips will be possible during the summer holidays, which in some federal states will start at the end of June. Instead, the draft resolution states that the previously valid travel warning applies “until further notice”, but at least until mid-June. Before this date, the situation should be reassessed, especially for this purpose, it would like to coordinate closely with its EU neighbors.
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No second return campaign
The reason for the travel warning is that normal trips abroad will not be possible in the next few weeks. According to the AA, drastic restrictions in international air traffic and worldwide entry bans or quarantine regulations can still be expected. The travel warning also aims to minimize the spread of the virus and prevent German holidaymakers from stranding abroad once again.
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On March 17, the AA issued a worldwide travel warning for all unnecessary tourist trips for the first time in the history of the Federal Republic. Even then, the measure was justified by the corona pandemic and the ever stricter restrictions on travel. The ministry subsequently had brought back a quarter of a million Germans stranded.
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Foreign Minister had last week Heiko Maas declares that there will be no second such return campaign. At the same time, the SPD politician dampened the hope of a normal summer travel season.
The summer vacation question remains unanswered
The federal government cannot formally prevent trips abroad. However, almost all tour operators follow the guidelines from the Federal Foreign Office. Even travel within the EU is currently almost impossible. The borders between the Schengen countries are closed to tourists. Entry into the EU is prohibited. If you come back now, you have to quarantine at home for 14 days.
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A final statement about the summer vacation would still have been helpful for many travelers, since they could cancel vacation trips already booked free of charge. However, the question is considered a sensitive one for several reasons. The travel industry fears that many companies will have to file for bankruptcy if all customers claim their money back in one fell swoop. The EU Commission had rejected a mandatory voucher solution. Anyone who wants to have their money back is also entitled to it.
The issue is also controversial politically, because an extension of the travel warning over the summer would send the signal that a return to normalcy by July or August is unlikely.
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