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Dyddi
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Following is a digest of FCO and other advice gathered up to 15th March:
Headlines:
Italy - is closed
No change to Superfast Ferries information
France - is tightening restrictions
Belgium & Germany similar to UK, i.e. unclear
Austria - border with Italy requires medical certificate. Austria - face-masking forbidden.
Switzerland border with Italy closed for us.
Greece - still allowing ferries but not flights. Very little open.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - information and advice:
France
The French government outlined new measures on 14 March to delay the spread of coronavirus. This includes the closure of all non-essential establishments open to the public from Midnight, 14 March, until further notice (i.e. restaurants, cafes, cinemas). Food shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, and banks will stay open.
Some countries are imposing a compulsory period of quarantine for all travellers from France. If you are travelling from or through France, please check the situation at your destination before you travel.New measures announced between 12 and 14 March to delay the spread of COVID-19 may impact those travelling to, from and within France
The measures set out on the French government website (in French) include:
The Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy, and that tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.
On 11 March, the Italian government announced new measures closing all non-essential business across Italy with immediate effect. All shops are closed apart from pharmacies and shops selling food and other basic necessities. Essential public services, transport, utilities, banks and postal services will remain active. All public gatherings, including religious ceremonies, funerals and sporting events remain suspended. Restaurants, bars, museums, cultural institutions, childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed, as are ski resorts.
Train companies are reducing services, for both domestic and international travel. Some cross-border bus companies are also cancelling their services. Ports remain open although we understand that passengers on cruise ships will not be allowed to disembark for tourism purposes. Passenger ferry schedules remain subject to change and cancellations. Several neighbouring countries have imposed restrictions on people entering from Italy. Please consult travel advice for the country concerned.
Superfast Ferries
(No transit access to Italian ports for tourists.) Current cancellations policy valid for crossings up to 30 April, i.e. no further change as at 15 March.
Greece
As part of its Coronavirus response, the Greek Government has ordered the closure of all cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as shopping centres and malls, theatres and cinemas, children’s playgrounds, beauty salons, libraries, sports centres, museums and archaeological sites. Take away food services will continue to operate and supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies remain open. All schools, nurseries and universities are currently closed for two weeks until 25 March. The Government has also banned all large events and conferences for 4 weeks until 5 April. For more information from the Greek authorities, see the Greek National Public Health Organisation (NPHO)
Germany
At present, all federal states have reported cases of infection with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Robert Koch Institute is continuously monitoring the situation, evaluating all available information, estimating the risk for the population in Germany and providing health professionals with recommendations.
Concerns: Italien, In Frankreich: Region Grand Est (diese Region enthält Elsass, Lothringen und Champagne-Ardenne), In Österreich: Bundesland Tirol
Austria
(It’s illegal in Austria to wear in a public place any clothing or object that conceals the face and makes facial features unrecognisable.)
The Austrian authorities have introduced a number of precautionary restrictions on travel and events in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Ski resorts will close on 15 March in Tyrol, Salzburg and Vorarlberg provinces. Accommodation in the ski resorts will close on 16 March. In Tyrol, the villages of Ischgl, Galtuer, See, and Kappl in the Patznaun Valley, and St Anton am Arlberg are under quarantine for the next 14 days. Tourists will be allowed to leave.
As of 16 March, there will be no direct air connections from Austria to Spain, France, and Switzerland. All direct flights and trains between Austria and Italy are also affected. You should contact your tour operator or airline.
Restrictions are currently in place on the border with Italy. Anyone wishing to cross the border is required to hold a medical certificate. The certificate needs to include the result of molecular biological test and must be no more than four days old, in English, German or Italian. Non-stop transit from Italy through Austria remains possible. Some neighbouring countries are restricting movement across the border and conducting health checks. You should refer to travel advice for the country you are travelling from/to for information.
From 16 March, restaurants, bars and cafes across the country will only be open until 3pm. All shops, except supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and postal services, will be closed.
Belgium
On 12 March, the Belgian Government has announced a series of measures which will take effect from midnight 13 March until 3 April. These measures include the suspension of school lessons, and a recommendation that universities offer distance learning. Recreational (cultural and sporting) activities are prohibited, and restaurants (including those inside hotels), nightclubs and bars are closed. Shops, with the exception of food stores and pharmacies, are closed at weekends. The Government has encouraged working from home and that the use of public transport be limited to essential travel.
Headlines:
Italy - is closed
No change to Superfast Ferries information
France - is tightening restrictions
Belgium & Germany similar to UK, i.e. unclear
Austria - border with Italy requires medical certificate. Austria - face-masking forbidden.
Switzerland border with Italy closed for us.
Greece - still allowing ferries but not flights. Very little open.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - information and advice:
France
The French government outlined new measures on 14 March to delay the spread of coronavirus. This includes the closure of all non-essential establishments open to the public from Midnight, 14 March, until further notice (i.e. restaurants, cafes, cinemas). Food shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, and banks will stay open.
Some countries are imposing a compulsory period of quarantine for all travellers from France. If you are travelling from or through France, please check the situation at your destination before you travel.New measures announced between 12 and 14 March to delay the spread of COVID-19 may impact those travelling to, from and within France
The measures set out on the French government website (in French) include:
- The closure of all schools, crèches and universities with effect from Monday 16 March until further notice.
- Prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people.
- For people over 70 years of age and/or those with existing health conditions to stay at home as much as possible.
- To avoid visiting the vulnerable and instead stay in touch remotely.
- To work from home where possible.
- To keep a minimum distance of one metre from others as much as possible.
The Italian authorities have advised against travel for tourism purposes throughout Italy, and that tourists already on holiday in Italy should limit their movements to those necessary to return to the place where they live.
On 11 March, the Italian government announced new measures closing all non-essential business across Italy with immediate effect. All shops are closed apart from pharmacies and shops selling food and other basic necessities. Essential public services, transport, utilities, banks and postal services will remain active. All public gatherings, including religious ceremonies, funerals and sporting events remain suspended. Restaurants, bars, museums, cultural institutions, childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed, as are ski resorts.
Train companies are reducing services, for both domestic and international travel. Some cross-border bus companies are also cancelling their services. Ports remain open although we understand that passengers on cruise ships will not be allowed to disembark for tourism purposes. Passenger ferry schedules remain subject to change and cancellations. Several neighbouring countries have imposed restrictions on people entering from Italy. Please consult travel advice for the country concerned.
Superfast Ferries
(No transit access to Italian ports for tourists.) Current cancellations policy valid for crossings up to 30 April, i.e. no further change as at 15 March.
Greece
As part of its Coronavirus response, the Greek Government has ordered the closure of all cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as shopping centres and malls, theatres and cinemas, children’s playgrounds, beauty salons, libraries, sports centres, museums and archaeological sites. Take away food services will continue to operate and supermarkets, bakeries and pharmacies remain open. All schools, nurseries and universities are currently closed for two weeks until 25 March. The Government has also banned all large events and conferences for 4 weeks until 5 April. For more information from the Greek authorities, see the Greek National Public Health Organisation (NPHO)
Germany
At present, all federal states have reported cases of infection with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Robert Koch Institute is continuously monitoring the situation, evaluating all available information, estimating the risk for the population in Germany and providing health professionals with recommendations.
Concerns: Italien, In Frankreich: Region Grand Est (diese Region enthält Elsass, Lothringen und Champagne-Ardenne), In Österreich: Bundesland Tirol
Austria
(It’s illegal in Austria to wear in a public place any clothing or object that conceals the face and makes facial features unrecognisable.)
The Austrian authorities have introduced a number of precautionary restrictions on travel and events in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Ski resorts will close on 15 March in Tyrol, Salzburg and Vorarlberg provinces. Accommodation in the ski resorts will close on 16 March. In Tyrol, the villages of Ischgl, Galtuer, See, and Kappl in the Patznaun Valley, and St Anton am Arlberg are under quarantine for the next 14 days. Tourists will be allowed to leave.
As of 16 March, there will be no direct air connections from Austria to Spain, France, and Switzerland. All direct flights and trains between Austria and Italy are also affected. You should contact your tour operator or airline.
Restrictions are currently in place on the border with Italy. Anyone wishing to cross the border is required to hold a medical certificate. The certificate needs to include the result of molecular biological test and must be no more than four days old, in English, German or Italian. Non-stop transit from Italy through Austria remains possible. Some neighbouring countries are restricting movement across the border and conducting health checks. You should refer to travel advice for the country you are travelling from/to for information.
From 16 March, restaurants, bars and cafes across the country will only be open until 3pm. All shops, except supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and postal services, will be closed.
Belgium
On 12 March, the Belgian Government has announced a series of measures which will take effect from midnight 13 March until 3 April. These measures include the suspension of school lessons, and a recommendation that universities offer distance learning. Recreational (cultural and sporting) activities are prohibited, and restaurants (including those inside hotels), nightclubs and bars are closed. Shops, with the exception of food stores and pharmacies, are closed at weekends. The Government has encouraged working from home and that the use of public transport be limited to essential travel.
