Waving waves, sand between your toes, lazy days at the beach and late summer evenings.
This is exactly what many of us dream of now. In recent weeks, however, some have emerged unforeseen challenges that could jeopardize the holiday dream abroad.
But if you are so lucky that you get away and get to, for example, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Croatia or Italy – then there is at least one concern you should not have, according to the experts.
– About the same
Because even though corona infection is increasing in several of the mentioned countries, and the new corona variant B.5 is expected to become dominant in Europe through the summer, FHI will calm down the situation completely.
– There is no reason to sit in Norway more than to sit in Spain. The risk of infection will be about the same in Oslo, as in Madrid, as we see the situation now, says director Frode Forland to TV 2.
Portugal in particular has emerged with increasing infection in recent weeks.
– BALANCE: FHI’s director Frode Forland says we must find a balance between being afraid of being infected, and at the same time having reasonable infection control. Photo: Odd Arne Hartvigsen / TV 2
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– There is a growing infection in most countries in Europe. This actually started in Portugal, and later in Spain and Italy. In Portugal, it seems that the curve has already broken, and that infection rates are again declining, he says.
70 percent
Forland points out that it is especially countries that have not had large waves of omicron infection in the past that see the infection increase now.
– We interpret this as an expression that many have already had it. In Denmark, they believe about 70 percent of the population has had corona, and we think those numbers are fairly similar in Norway.
Although the summer offers a large influx of tourists to the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, Forland does not believe that new, strict restrictions will be relevant.
– Serious shutdowns, I think there is little danger of, but there may be local variations on how to behave with regard to the use of face masks and distance.
– Can’t take it anymore
In Italy, which was one of the European countries hardest hit by the pandemic, almost all restrictions were lifted from 1 June.
– FLOCKS TO: The small Italian island of Procida once again has a bustling life. Photo: Elisabeth Knapstad Angioni / TV 2
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At present, it is only mandatory to wear a bandage on public transport. It is also not necessary to present a valid corona passport upon entry. According to TV 2’s information, no further tightening is planned either.
And that is exactly what the Italians are happy about.
– We have been locked up for two years. Now we can no longer bear it, says a group of TV 2 meetings on the Italian island of Procida.
There is also no doubt that tourists are flocking again. Because when TV 2 visited the island, the boats were packed, and a dozen guided groups in different languages meandered through streets and alleys.
– Finally!
Vacant tables in the restaurants were also difficult to find.
– Everything is fully booked for lunch. It is good to see people enjoying good food and wine, seeing that the young people work and run between the tables, that the fishermen sell fresh ingredients to the restaurants. The economy is up and running again, finally, says Marinella who runs a fish restaurant on the island.
– CHEERS: Restaurant owner Marinella is delighted that tourists are flocking to the island again. Photo: Elisabeth Knapstad Angioni / TV 2
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Holiday favorite Spain has also removed all entry restrictions. Turkey and Greece have the same.
– All the models we use do not indicate that the infection will put pressure on the health service so that we must implement measures, said Greece’s Minister of Health Thanos Plevris in an interview with Greek TV.
They will take a new assessment of the situation in September, and then assess whether the summer requires new measures.
Message to grandmother
In Iceland, more than 90 per cent of the population over the age of 18 have been vaccinated with two doses. In addition, almost 1.4 million Norwegians have taken a third dose.
Forland in FHI thus believes that young and old can go on holiday abroad with a clear conscience.
– But grandmother should be prepared in the same way as the others she travels on holiday with.
With the promise that the holiday can be taken without a guilty conscience, Forland comes up with the phrase few would have dared to dream of.
– Do we have control over the pandemic now?
– Yes, I would definitely say that. We have come to a happy situation where most people have been vaccinated, and very many have undergone this. It no longer poses a public health threat in the same way as before, he says.
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