Color codes, corona passports and rules that can differ considerably per country: the time of carefree vacation seems to be over. The fact that the number of infections in the Netherlands is increasing rapidly makes it all even more complicated.
Because the consequences of our infection figures can be seen on the European corona map. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is monitoring the spread of the virus. European countries are divided into regions.
Dark red
On the map below, our country is still orange and some regions are green. But later today, the map will receive an update and large parts of the Netherlands are expected to turn red, some possibly even dark red.
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However, that is no reason to immediately unpack the suitcases again. For example, there are no measures associated with a change in the color code. With the European corona passport you can also travel from red areas to other countries.
With that passport you can go to another country two weeks after complete vaccination. You can also get that passport with a negative PCR test. But countries have different rules for this. This is how the test on arrival is allowed in France not be older than 72 hours. In Italy is a maximum of 48 hours.
Necessary travel
Thus, despite European efforts, countries themselves determine travel restrictions for tourists and other visitors. Although they do rely on the European corona map for this. Large parts of Spain have been colored red for some time now. Reason for the Netherlands to advise only travel there if necessary.
Because we, like Spain, will (partly) turn red, that country is an interesting indicator for us. For example, France correspondent Eveline Bijlsma sees that the French are intervening because of the situation in the neighboring country. “Unvaccinated Spaniards can only enter France this week with a PCR test that is not older than 24 hours. That was 72 hours before.”
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It is a tightening up that, according to Bijlsma, will not apply to us anytime soon. “The situation in Spain is even worse than in the Netherlands. You can clearly see that in the infection figures.”
That’s right. The ECDC is watching for coloring the map according to the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants over a period of two weeks. In the case of Spain, there are 215. In the Netherlands, a lot less: 63.
Discouraging tourists
Although foreign tourists are very important for the French economy, the French did not seem to take this into account this week, according to Bijlsma. “President Macron announced on Monday that everyone from 12 years old could not just go anywhere: bars, museums, restaurants, terraces and amusement parks would require a vaccination certificate, negative test or proof that you have recently had covid.”
But on Tuesday it was announced that the measure for young people up to the age of 18 will only apply from August 30. “It seemed as if the government did not realize what the consequences of that rule would be,” says Bijlsma. “Millions of European tourists come to France every year. It is very unwise and bad for the economy to discourage them with complicated, strict rules.”
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The dependence on tourism also plays a major role in Italy. “I therefore do not foresee any travel restrictions for Dutch people in the short term,” says correspondent Anouk Boone. She does see that the Italian government takes inspiration from the French approach.
“Also with the aim of stimulating vaccination. For example, there is talk of making a full vaccination mandatory when traveling by train. But those ideas immediately meet a lot of resistance, so I don’t think it will happen soon.”
Slight increase
And although the Netherlands is turning red on the European corona map, according to her, the Dutch can still visit Rome or to Lake Garda for the time being. “The situation could change if the number of infections in Italy itself also shoots up,” says Boone. “But there is now only a slight increase, so no cause for concern yet.”
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Even closer to home, the borders do not seem to close immediately for us. Looking at how Germany is dealing with the ‘red’ Spain for some time, only one measure has been added. Before entering from a red area, those travelers must: an additional form to fill in.
For many Dutch people, Spain itself is no longer a holiday destination for the time being. The Netherlands had previously issued an orange travel advice for the mainland. Travel organizer TUI let know via Facebook that the travel advice for the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands will also be orange. Only visit for a necessary trip is therefore the advice.
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