Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

[kristiang85]

After a few days in Italy (Milan), I can confirm - despite the supposed FFP2 mask mandate on public transport - that compliance was low. During mornings/afternoons it was probably around 40-50%, and evenings pretty much nobody wore the things, and I saw a lot of normal surgical masks among the mask wearers. I wasn't aware of any notices or announcements, and certainly nobody enforcing it. In fact, TFL is probably more intrustive about mask announcements now than the Italians were.

And of course on the flight they weren't needed either, as per the guidance.

I'm not sure about other cities, but if you are thinking about a trip to Italy but are holding off due to masks, I don't think it will be too much of an issue.

 

[ainsworth74]

What's the latest information on Germany/Switzerland? I was idly thinking of arranging something for next March (I've got annual leave burning a hole in my pocket ) but might hold off (and go somewhere else) if they're still faffing with masks and look likely to continue to for some time?

 

[matt]

Switzerland is fine. No masks or anything else required.

 

[306024]

What's the latest information on Germany/Switzerland? I was idly thinking of arranging something for next March (I've got annual leave burning a hole in my pocket ) but might hold off (and go somewhere else) if they're still faffing with masks and look likely to continue to for some time?

Just back from Germany. Masks mandatory on trains, but hardly anywhere else. This Covid must be quite selective on how it travels. Virtually 100% compliance on my train to the airport yesterday too.

Not sure how the Germans get out of this. Back there next week for Innotrans in Berlin where doubtless crowds will wear masks on the train to the event, then not bother once there.

Switzerland on the other hand simply a pleasure - go there!

 

[Watershed]

What's the latest information on Germany/Switzerland? I was idly thinking of arranging something for next March (I've got annual leave burning a hole in my pocket ) but might hold off (and go somewhere else) if they're still faffing with masks and look likely to continue to for some time?

Germany is still mask central unfortunately. And the mandate is being tightened to FFP2 nationwide from 1 October (presumably on the basis that "oh no, it's getting towards winter, Covid will be making a resurgance!" ).

It's a real shame but having had to put up with it in Italy and a few other places, I have no desire to visit Germany until or unless they get rid of that nonsense. There are plenty of mask-free alternatives - in fact basically every other country in Europe other than Spain and Italy!

 

[306024]

After a few days in Italy (Milan), I can confirm - despite the supposed FFP2 mask mandate on public transport - that compliance was low. During mornings/afternoons it was probably around 40-50%, and evenings pretty much nobody wore the things, and I saw a lot of normal surgical masks among the mask wearers.

Italians must be getting fed up then, compliance was much higher when I was in Milan earlier this year. In fact you weren’t allowed on the Centovalli from Locarno to Domodossola without a FFP2.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thank you all! Switzerland it is then I guess!

 

[Mojo]

Germany is still mask central unfortunately. And the mandate is being tightened to FFP2 nationwide from 1 October (presumably on the basis that "oh no, it's getting towards winter, Covid will be making a resurgance!" ).

Rather strangely whilst Germany is tightening the longdistance train mask mandate to FFP2, they are also dropping the mask mandate on planes and at airports.

This isn’t the only country that mandates masks on domestic public transport but not on planes.

 

[P Binnersley]

This isn’t the only country that mandates masks on domestic public transport but not on planes.

Planes are a legal minefield. Generally the rules of the country of registration apply during an international flight. If I fly to Germany on Lufthansa I have to wear a mask, but not on Ryanair. For Germany the the masks on planes rule is probably only applied on about 50% or arrivals (Lufthansa + Eurowings). For Spain it is probably 10-20%.

Local laws apply between landing and disembarking; but until the aircraft doors are opened are unenforceable (and pointless after a 60+ minute flight).

 

[Mojo]

Planes are a legal minefield. Generally the rules of the country of registration apply during an international flight. If I fly to Germany on Lufthansa I have to wear a mask, but not on Ryanair. For Germany the the masks on planes rule is probably only applied on about 50% or arrivals (Lufthansa + Eurowings). For Spain it is probably 10-20%.

Local laws apply between landing and disembarking; but until the aircraft doors are opened are unenforceable (and pointless after a 60+ minute flight).

Many airlines like BA and EasyJet have policies (not the law, but they are entitled to refuse travel) and require you to wear masks both ways to some countries, whereas for some countries they only require them on flights FROM the UK.

Some countries also got around the legal status of planes by making airlines legally responsible for enforcing masks.

 

[D6130]

There will be a general election in Italy on 25th September. If, as predicted, there is a landslide victory for the far-right coalition of Meloni/Salvini/Berlusconi, I would expect the masks-on-public transport mandate to be lifted pretty quickly. If this were to happen, it would be the only favourable outcome of such a result.

 

[nw1]

There will be a general election in Italy on 25th September. If, as predicted, there is a landslide victory for the far-right coalition of Meloni/Salvini/Berlusconi, I would expect the masks-on-public transport mandate to be lifted pretty quickly. If this were to happen, it would be the only favourable outcome of such a result.

God help Italy if that's the case.

I think we're all familiar with Berlusconi; Salvini is, in my opinion, a thoroughly vile, nasty piece of work; and while I hadn't heard of Meloni, I've looked her up and she sounds thoroughly unpleasant.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Switzerland on the other hand simply a pleasure - go there!

Not at CHF1.15 to the pound!! It needs to be back up at least to 1.50 for me.

 

[Bikeman78]

Germany is still mask central unfortunately. And the mandate is being tightened to FFP2 nationwide from 1 October (presumably on the basis that "oh no, it's getting towards winter, Covid will be making a resurgance!" ).

It's a real shame but having had to put up with it in Italy and a few other places, I have no desire to visit Germany until or unless they get rid of that nonsense. There are plenty of mask-free alternatives - in fact basically every other country in Europe other than Spain and Italy!

One has to wonder how long the Germans plan to continue this farce. I've recently travelled on Eurostar and around The Netherlands and Belgium. No mention of covid anywhere. Apart from the longer queues, the Eurostar experience was completely normal. Passport and ticket, nothing else. Dutch peak times trains are completely rammed full again. One thing I've noticed is that the Dutch don't bother checking tickets any more but the Belgians still do more often than not.

 

[SurreyCommuter]

I've got family in Vancouver, Canada that I was going to visit in 2020 but obviously circumstances changed! I was thinking about going over there next summer but from looking on Sherpa at the rules relating to flights and masks I guess I'll maybe have to wait a bit longer! Either that or I could fly to Seattle and cross the border by land assuming that's not too much of a faff!

 

[Watershed]

I've got family in Vancouver, Canada that I was going to visit in 2020 but obviously circumstances changed! I was thinking about going over there next summer but from looking on Sherpa at the rules relating to flights and masks I guess I'll maybe have to wait a bit longer! Either that or I could fly to Seattle and cross the border by land assuming that's not too much of a faff!

Unfortunately the same vaccine entry requirements apply if arriving by land. Though there is no requirement to have a booster. At least they're consistent(ly wrong)...

 

[rg177]

Just took a Länderbahn Trilex service from Liberec to Varnsdorf which stops at various stations in Germany en route.

Was expecting some sort of announcement to wear masks for the 20 or so minutes we were in Germany but zero people wore one and the conductor was maskless too.

I did take one just in case but it would have felt rather insane if we'd been asked to for a journey from the Czech Republic to the Czech Republic.

 

[Razorblades]

Just took a Länderbahn Trilex service from Liberec to Varnsdorf which stops at various stations in Germany en route.

Was expecting some sort of announcement to wear masks for the 20 or so minutes we were in Germany but alas, zero people wore one and the conductor was maskless too.

I did take one just in case but it would have felt rather insane if we'd been asked to for a journey from the Czech Republic to the Czech Republic.

Alas? Bravo, surely!!!

 

[rg177]

Alas? Bravo, surely!!!

Probably the lack of sleep talking there! I was in fact pleased about it- it would have been borderline nonsensical if we'd have to.

 

[Richard Scott]

Probably the lack of sleep talking there! I was in fact pleased about it- it would have been borderline nonsensical if we'd have to.

Nonsensical doesn't seem to stop the mask fanatics in Germany, made to wear them on verandas of coaches on a recent visit to the Harz, utterly ridiculous. It's the stupid mask rule that made me drastically reduce my time in Germany. Now the even more idiotic mandating of FFP2s from start of next month I won't be going at all.

 

[Razorblades]

Nonsensical doesn't seem to stop the mask fanatics in Germany, made to wear them on verandas of coaches on a recent visit to the Harz, utterly ridiculous. It's the stupid mask rule that made me drastically reduce my time in Germany. Now the even more idiotic mandating of FFP2s from start of next month I won't be going at all.

Seems as if the Germans really are going backwards with all this, which leaves me with a sense of foreboding.

 

[rg177]

I must say it's put me off, too. I used to love Germany but when just about every other country in Europe has returned to normal and you're only mandating masks in a minority of settings, it very much feels like rules for the sake of rules.

Unfortunately some staff on public transport I've found were extremely unpleasant and overenthusiastic about enforcing such rules. I don't wish to hear a two minute patronising speech about how you'll be ejected from the train and how it's the law, nor trying to make heads or tails of the fact that one mask is fine in one state but you need a different kind in another.

 

[westv]

Spain's discimination against UK travellers extended until at least November.
Yes, I know for us vaccinated it's just a pdf or printed off form but it's still annoying

 

[Richard Scott]

Spain's discimination against UK travellers extended until at least November.
Yes, I know for us vaccinated it's just a pdf or printed off form but it's still annoying

I'd really like to see scientific justification for this. Past two years has shown just how pathetic some politicians (and others) are making up petty rules in name of keeping everyone safe which have no scientific reasoning at all.

 

[Eyersey468]

I'd really like to see scientific justification for this. Past two years has shown just how pathetic some politicians (and others) are making up petty rules in name of keeping everyone safe which have no scientific reasoning at all.

There is no scientific justification for it, its a political thing. If there was proper science behind it all countries would be treated the same. We are going next month and it means I am being forced to have a booster I don't want and don't consider I need.

 

[Howardh]

As alluded to above;

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/holiday/travelling/2022/09/16/105871/mallorca-keeps-covid-requirements-for-britons-place-until-november-15.html

​

Covid entry requirements remain in place in Mallorca for British tourists. | Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter


The Spanish government has extended Covid requirements for Britons travelling to the Balearics and elsewhere in Spain until November 15 and this will included the October half-term holidays. Spain relaxed entry rules for third-country nationals in May when it lifted its ban on unvaccinated arrivals.


But, for Britons travelling to the Balearics you must still show valid proof of one of the following on entry:
Being fully vaccinated. Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements.
A negative COVID-19 test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
Having recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months. You can use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain.

There is no scientific justification for it, its a political thing. If there was proper science behind it all countries would be treated the same. We are going next month and it means I am being forced to have a booster I don't want and don't consider I need.

I don't want either my covid booster or my flu jab. Time-consuming and the covid jab makes me feel woozy for a day.

But I need them and I'm having them!

 

[nw1]

Spain's discimination against UK travellers extended until at least November.
Yes, I know for us vaccinated it's just a pdf or printed off form but it's still annoying

I wonder how their government can get away with such blatant (IMV) xenophobic, right-wing extremism? Not just against the UK of course, but anywhere outside the EU/Schengen. To my mind, it's little different to telling gay people that they have to have a monkeypox vaccine to enter Spain, when straight people do not. And I say this as a remainer.

Even Farage didn't want to impose restrictions on holidaymakers from outside the CTA. To see a supposedly-socialist government adopt policies to the right of Farage is really quite something.

 

[Richard Scott]

I wonder how their government can get away with such blatant (IMV) xenophobic, right-wing extremism? Not just the UK of course, but anywhere outside the EU/Schengen. To my mind, it's little different to telling gay people that they have to have a monkeypox vaccine to enter Spain, when straight people do not.

Even Farage didn't want to impose restrictions on holidaymakers from outside the CTA. To see a supposedly-socialist government adopt policies to the right of Farage is really quite something.

It's a pity people don't vote with their feet and not bother visiting Spain.

 

[nw1]

It's a pity people don't vote with their feet and not bother visiting Spain.

It's certainly discriminatory. There is absolutely no scientific reason to impose harsher Covid rules based on your Schengen status, so therefore the motivation must be coming from something other than science. A desire to court the xenophobic vote perhaps.

 

[Eyersey468]

It's a pity people don't vote with their feet and not bother visiting Spain.

To be honest the only reason we are going to Spain is my partner and stepdaughter hearts were set on it, if it were down to me we wouldn't be going while they have these rules in place.