Nations Implement Travel Restrictions on Popular Vacation Destinations
In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 among vacationers, all federal states in Germany, with the exception of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Thuringia, and Berlin, have agreed to impose a ban on accommodation for travelers from domestic COVID-19 risk areas. This ban will take effect in Schleswig-Holstein starting from Friday.
However, the four aforementioned states have chosen not to participate in this ban due to political and administrative reservations and opposition to such restrictive measures. This decision reflects a broader pattern seen earlier in the pandemic where some states opposed or delayed implementing uniform, strict lockdown or travel restrictions, preferring instead more localized or moderate policies based on their assessment of the situation and priorities.
During discussions around curfews and travel bans in March 2020, several state leaders expressed reservations or opposition to stricter measures like curfews and accommodation bans. Such opposition stemmed from concerns about the proportionality and effectiveness of these measures as well as local economic and social considerations.
The ban in Schleswig-Holstein allows only those who can present a negative COVID-19 test to stay in hotels. The test must not be older than 48 hours. Commuting and family visits are exempt from this regulation, according to Minister President Daniel Günther.
The decision to impose the ban is a response to the ongoing concern about the spread of the virus among vacationers, as they often travel between different regions, potentially contributing to the transmission of the disease. The photo of a hotel room, via dpa, serves as a stark illustration of the impact of the ban on the accommodation industry.
The business magazine "Business Insider" reports this development, highlighting the divergent responses of the federal states in Germany to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing situation underscores the complexities of managing a national health crisis within a federal system, where states retain significant authority and vary in their response intensity.
In the discussions of health-and-wellness measures to combat COVID-19, some state leaders have shown reservations towards strict lockdown or travel restrictions, opting for more localized policies based on their regional assessment, as demonstrated by the divergent responses of the federal states in Germany. Meanwhile, the travel sector could be impacted by the decision of certain states not to participate in travel bans, like in the case of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Thuringia, and Berlin, who have chosen not to impose a ban on accommodation for travelers from COVID-19 risk areas, unlike Schleswig-Holstein.
