There is an early curfew in Austria. In Greece all taverns have to close at midnight. In England, on the other hand, you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in pubs and disco without any problems.
The highly contagious virus variant Omikron is driving the corona numbers up in many regions of the world. The federal government has now re-classified dozen of states as high-risk areas.
Since last Saturday, the holiday countries Spain and Portugal as well as the USA have again been in this category. Many governments have already tightened the corona rules again under the impression of the Omikron wave. An overview of the situation in the holiday countries:
AUSTRIA
To the chagrin of restaurants and hotels, the curfew has been brought forward to 10 p.m. There is no exception for New Year’s Eve either. Otherwise, the familiar entry hurdles still apply. Those who do not have a booster vaccination must provide a PCR test. Even those who have recovered need a PCR test. School-age children are allowed to go on vacation in the country with sufficient test evidence, that means around three tests per week. The rules do not affect children under the age of twelve. The seven-day incidence was most recently around 170 cases per 100,000 population. Germany has meanwhile removed Austria from the list of high-risk areas.
SWITZERLAND
The corona situation has worsened significantly. Most recently, more than 13,000 new infections were counted within 24 hours. Measured by the number of inhabitants, the number is almost three times as high as in Germany. Vaccinated and convalescent people also need a negative PCR or antigen rapid test for entry. Unvaccinated people have to take a second test after entering the country. However: there are no quarantine regulations. Winter sports go with 3G, but 2G applies in huts, restaurants and at cultural events, i.e. access only for vaccinated and convalescent people.
NETHERLANDS
The country regards Germany as a high risk area. Anyone who wants to enter from Germany and is older than twelve years must either be vaccinated or recovered or have a negative test. Since Tuesday, the authorities have assumed that the Omikron variant is dominant in the country. A hard lockdown will apply until at least January 14th. Shops, restaurants, schools, cultural and sports facilities are closed. Exceptions apply to supermarkets or pharmacies. You can have a maximum of two guests at home, and a maximum of four on New Year’s Eve. Outside, too, the rule is that only two people are allowed to be together.
BELGIUM
After record levels at the end of November, the number of infections continues to decline, but the corona rules have recently been tightened. The gastronomy has to close at 11 p.m., New Year’s Eve is no exception. The government recommends limiting social contacts. Indoor gatherings – except in private homes – are largely prohibited. The 14-day incidence was last at 881. Those arriving from Germany must fill out a form online and be fully vaccinated or have recovered. Alternatively, they can show a negative test and get tested again after a week. On Wednesday it was decided that cinemas, concert halls and other cultural venues are allowed to reopen. However, a maximum of 200 spectators are allowed, the wearing of masks is mandatory and a vaccination certificate or negative test usually has to be presented.
DENMARK
If you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Germany’s northern neighbor, you have to do a corona test before entering the country – regardless of your vaccination status. Children and young people under 15 years of age are excluded. The number of new infections has risen sharply because of Omikron, with Denmark recently reporting the highest incidence in the EU. Cinemas, theaters, zoos and amusement parks are closed, as are discos. Only libraries and music schools are allowed to open. Bars and restaurants have to close at 11 p.m. and alcohol is not allowed to be sold at night. In many areas, mask requirements and 3G rules apply.
FRANCE
The corona numbers are rising steeply, the government speaks of a “tidal wave”. The “Passe Sanitaire” is required when visiting cafes and restaurants, cinemas and other events. This is a digital proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test. This 3G proof is also required for travel by plane or long-distance train. People aged 65 and over who were immunized seven months or more ago need a booster vaccination for the “Passe Sanitaire”. Unlike in Germany, the vast majority of shops and local public transport are accessible without a 3G certificate. In addition to indoors, many city centers also require a mask to be worn outdoors.
ITALY
Anyone wishing to enter the country must show a negative PCR or rapid antigen test. This also applies to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. In the whole country the mask requirement also applies outdoors. In ski lifts as well as in local and long-distance public transport, proof of having been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered is required (3G). From January 10, 2022, however, the 2G rule will apply here and in hotels as well as at festivals as it has already done in restaurants, museums and theaters; a negative test is then not enough. The German digital vaccination certificates work. Recently, the corona numbers went up sharply. Many big cities canceled their celebrations on New Year’s Eve. From Saturday, January 1st, Italy will be classified by the federal government as a high-risk area.
GREECE
Due to the rapid spread of Omikron, the government has brought forward numerous corona measures that were previously planned for January 3, 2022. So now all taverns, bars and pubs have to close at midnight. Guests are not allowed to stand, only to be served at the table. Music is banned in these places. The only exception: on New Year’s Eve, taverns and clubs are allowed to stay up until 2 a.m. It is mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask in all public spaces. Travelers to Greece must show a negative test before traveling.
SPAIN
Despite a vaccination rate of around 80 percent, the number of new infections is increasing rapidly. Germany is now classifying Spain as a high-risk area again. Returning travelers who have neither been vaccinated nor recovered must therefore be quarantined in Germany for up to ten days. In Spain, on the other hand, the isolation period is shortened from ten to seven days after a symptom-free infection. Vaccinated people who have had contact with an infected person do not have to isolate themselves at all. It is mandatory to wear a mask outdoors throughout the country. In 9 of 17 regions there are 3G rules, curfew or nightly exit restrictions, in others – for example in Madrid – there are hardly any restrictions. Anyone older than twelve must be vaccinated, recovered or tested upon arrival.
PORTUGAL
The country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and yet the number of infections is rising rapidly here too. This is why Portugal is once again a high-risk area in Germany. Since December 1st, the national emergency has been in place with stricter measures such as 3G for access to hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities. Between December 25th and January 9th, schools, bars and discos will also be closed. On New Year’s Eve, a maximum of ten people are allowed to gather outdoors, alcohol is prohibited. A mask is required in public indoor areas. When entering the country, vaccinated persons must also present a negative test.
GREAT BRITAIN
To the pub, the opera or even the disco? In England this is not a problem over New Year’s Eve. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that he will not tighten the corona rules in most of the country. A mask is currently required in public transport, shops, theaters, cinemas and museums – but not in pubs and restaurants. Much stricter rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Anyone wishing to enter the country must submit a negative test before departure. Vaccinated persons and children from the age of five must also take a PCR test within the first two days of arrival, which must be purchased online in advance. Until the result, travelers have to self-isolate.
IRELAND
All travelers from the age of twelve must show proof of a negative corona test before their arrival; an antigen test is sufficient for vaccinated persons. In addition, an entry form must be filled out. Access to restaurants, theaters, cinemas and fitness studios is only possible upon presentation of proof of vaccination. Pubs, restaurants and cafes must close at 8 p.m. Orders can only be placed at the table, a maximum of six people can sit together. In many areas there is a mask requirement. A maximum of four households are allowed to take part in private indoor meetings.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Out of concern about the Omikron variant, the country has tightened the entry requirements. Even those who have had a complete basic immunization need a negative PCR test result to enter the country. Only those who have been boosted are excluded. The 2G rule applies in hotels and restaurants as well as on the ski slopes. There is a 50-person limit for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Lighting fireworks is prohibited in Prague city center. Germany classifies the Czech Republic as a high-risk area.
POLAND
Poland is also classified as a high-risk area by the federal government. When entering from the Schengen area, there is a ten-day quarantine obligation. Fully vaccinated, convalescent and travelers with a current negative test result are excluded. Clubs and discos are actually closed, but may exceptionally open on New Year’s Eve under certain conditions. The ski areas are in operation.
RUSSIA
The corona situation has eased slightly and so far only a few Omicron cases have been reported. According to official information, there were recently 21,000 new infections and more than 900 deaths within one day in the largest country in the world in terms of area. However, there are no major restrictions on the New Year celebrations. In Moscow, for example, a 2G rule applies in the world-famous Bolshoi Theater or in the Tretyakov Gallery. Such vaccination or convalescence certificates are not required for travel within Russia. Restaurants and discos are open as usual – as are the many ice rinks.
TURKEY
According to official figures, an average of around 20,000 new corona cases are currently reported every day. There are no official rules for private meetings. In many public places, a mask is still required, for example if minimum distances cannot be maintained. Travelers who use airplanes or long-distance buses and trains in Germany must present proof of vaccination. The same applies to cultural events such as concerts or visits to the theater and cinema. To enter from Germany, a negative corona test, vaccination or proof of recovery is required.
USA
Omikron is ready to be the dominant virus variant. If you want to travel from Europe, you need a negative test, which can be done one calendar day before you leave for the USA. In addition, foreigners usually have to prove a full Covid-19 vaccination before they are allowed to fly to the USA. There are no nationwide restrictions on private meetings. Wearing masks indoors is only required in some states. Restaurants, cinemas and shops are usually open. Most recently, restaurants, museums and other businesses in the northeast of the country had to close because many employees were in quarantine.