On holiday in Europe: This is what you need to know
For those who were unable to fully follow the sign language interpreter, the Foreign Affairs advice for holidays in Europe is orange for all countries until June 15. All holidays abroad are therefore not recommended. But after that date there is hope for travel-loving holidaymakers.
From June 15, it will gradually become possible to go on holiday to other European countries. The travel advice of a number of countries around us is being adjusted from orange, which indicates that holiday travel is not recommended, to yellow. A color that makes holiday travel possible as long as you pay attention to the risks. However, this does not apply to all countries. The travel advice remains orange when a country does not yet have sufficient control over the coronavirus, does not yet welcome Dutch tourists or imposes quarantine upon arrival.
Holiday in Europe
First, the travel advice of the following countries will go from orange to yellow: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. So you can go on holiday to these countries, provided you pay attention and take the risks into account.
Remaining orange: Denmark, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Holiday travel to these countries is not recommended as the pandemic is not yet under control here or, as in Sweden, it is being dealt with in a different way. If you do go to these countries for an essential trip, you will be required to quarantine at home upon your return to the Netherlands.
In addition, a number of countries still have to decide when they will remove barriers to Dutch tourists. It is expected that these countries will discuss this in the coming weeks. France, Iceland, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are still on this ticking line.
Please note, there are risks
The state of affairs surrounding the coronavirus can change at any time. In the event of a new outbreak, countries can suddenly take strict measures, such as closing off areas and closing borders. That can happen quite quickly. It is therefore your own responsibility whether you wish to take this risk.
On holiday abroad
From June 15, travel advice for countries within the EU and Schengen zone will be relaxed where possible. Those countries receive a yellow travel advice. This means that holidays in Europe to those countries are no longer recommended. Important conditions for a yellow travel advice are that the country in question has opened the border to Dutch people. In addition, there should be no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in that country and that the coronavirus is sufficiently under control. As long as this is not the case, the country's travel advice will remain orange: only essential travel is permitted. Holiday trips to countries outside Europe are not recommended for the time being.
What are necessary trips?
You have to decide for yourself whether a trip is necessary. Anyone with travel plans is advised to think about this carefully. Holiday travel outside Europe is not considered essential travel and is therefore strongly discouraged. Keep a close eye on the government travel advice for this. Freight transport and other professional transport are emphatically considered necessary traffic.
Which countries belong to the Schengen zone
22 European countries form the Schengen zone, of which the Netherlands is also part. The Schengen countries have made joint agreements about access to each other's territory. There is free movement of people and goods. Border controls do not take place under normal circumstances. The EU countries Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Croatia and Romania are not Schengen countries.
Travel outside the Schengen zone
Outside the Schengen area, the color code orange still applies to all countries. The travel restrictions also still apply when traveling to the EU, the Schengen area or the United Kingdom from countries outside these areas. Certain travelers are exempt from this measure. On Nederlandenu.nl you will find an overview of travelers from countries that are allowed to travel to the EU, Schengen countries and the UK. This measure will be extended until June 15, 2020.
You can visit Turkey and Morocco this summer
To limit the risks of new outbreaks of the virus, travel restrictions to Turkey and Morocco are being relaxed step by step. But the travel advice for all countries outside the EU and the Schengen area remains orange for the time being. All non-essential travel, including holidays, is discouraged. And this also applies to Turkey and Morocco. Download the BZ Travel App and register with the Foreign Affairs 24/7 Information Service. You will then be kept informed of all changes in the status of your desired destination.
What do the color codes mean?
The travel advice for holidays in Europe has four colours: green, yellow, orange and red. Normally these colors indicate the security situation in a country. However, the following applies to countries with the coronavirus:
Yellow: in connection with the corona virus, these countries have taken measures that have limited impact on daily life. Consider keeping your distance or wearing a face mask
Orange: daily life has been disrupted in these countries. An entry ban may also apply.
Red: this country or area is completely closed. There is no prospect of entry and exit.
In addition, keep in mind that not all countries are able to properly keep track of the number of corona infections and provide adequate care.
Does the government come to pick up travelers when things go wrong?
In the event of a new outbreak, local authorities can take drastic measures. Hotels, campsites, areas and borders are the first to be closed. That can happen very quickly. Be aware of this. You too can get sick during your holiday. By traveling abroad you accept this risk. So it is your own responsibility to take this risk. A repatriation operation is therefore not an obvious option and has even been ruled out by the Dutch government.
More information: www.nederlandworldwide.nl
