Quarantines and pcr testing: traveling in Europe in the time of Coronavirus
What are the rules for traveling in Europe in the time of the Coronavirus? This is not easy to answer. We are a long way from homogeneity [...]
What are the rules for travel in Europe at the time of the Coronavirus? This is not easy to answer. We are a long way from homogeneity of rules, although we are beginning to think about the possibility of a vaccination passport. For the time being, each country organizes in its own way. And, between quarantines and pcr tests, getting your bearings is not easy.
Traveling in Europe: who asks for PCR test
Finland
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The latest to announce this was Finnair: starting next January 28, all passengers flying to the Finland will have to be in possession of a negative PCR test (we have explained to you here what is the difference between pcr tests and rapid tests).
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The airline announced this at the same time as the resumption of flights from Ireland and the United Kingdom. "In line with recommendations from the Finnish Institute of Health, Finnair from Jan. 28 will require passengers to present a Covid-19 test negative certificate or proof of previous Covid-19 infection if they are traveling on a any Finnair flight to Finland," it reads. This does not change the procedures set by local authorities: the Finnish government imposes a 10-day fiduciary self-isolation, which may be shortened in case of a double negative test (swab or rapid antigen test) at least 72 hours apart. However, as of today, Italians cannot enter Finland for tourism.
France
Countries in agreement with the idea of PCR testing for travel in Europe include the France. As of January 24, to enter the country, it is necessary to show a PCR test performed no earlier than 72 hours after entry. There is no mandatory quarantine, therefore, but everyone over the age of 11 (including Italians) must undergo the test
The other countries to require a negative PCR test are:
- the Spain (PCR test must have been carried out no more than 72 hours before)
- the Portugal (Without a negative test, it is not possible to board the plane to Portugal or enter the country)
- the Greece (In addition to the negative test, the Passenger Locator Form must be completed online)
- the Slovenia (test must have been taken no later than 48 hours prior to entry for PCR tests and 24 hours for rapid tests: those without the test must self-isolate for 10 days)
- Malta (Proof of negative Covid test performed in the preceding 72 hours is mandatory)
- the Latvia (The test must not be earlier than 72 hours before entry)
Traveling in Europe: where quarantine is mandatory
Traveling to Europe during Coronavirus, however, also exposes one to the obligation of (more or less lengthy) quarantines. A condition, this one, that makes travel particularly difficult.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom asks people to fill out an online questionnaire before entering the country, in which they enter an address and phone number. Travelers must undergo a 10-day precautionary isolation (even if they have a negative test). Five days after arrival, it is possible to undergo a PCR test privately and thus suspend the isolation if it comes back negative.
Austria and Germany
Also theAustria imposes a 10-day quarantine for travelers from Italy and gives the option of breaking the isolation in case of a negative test to be carried out five days after entry. The same rule applies in Germany and in the Netherlands.
It also imposes a 10-day quarantine on the Poland, while the Belgium has listed Italy as a red zone: therefore, Italians are required to place themselves under quarantine, with mandatory testing on the seventh day. For theUkraine and the Romania Italy is yellow zone: travelers must undergo a 14-day isolation period, 10 if they have no symptoms, and on the eighth day undergo testing.
Countries with closed borders and those with open borders
Finally, there are the countries that have opted to close their borders.
L'Hungary, for example, only allows business travelers who have a company based in the country and those who live in a neighboring country and travel for business purposes to enter the country. In contrast, the Croatia chose not to take any measures for those from a country on the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention's "green list"; the others, must submit a negative test or undergo swabbing.
La Switzerland imposes no restrictions on entry, except for those coming from regions considered high-risk (as of today, Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Emilia Romagna). No restrictions either for entering Sweden and in Albania.
La Denmark admits only those traveling for business (but not as au pairs), participation in court proceedings, medical examinations and transportation of goods. The country is therefore closed to tourism.
In Norway it is possible to enter with a travel document, documentation that you are a citizen or resident of one of the Schengen/EU countries, a self-declaration, and a negative PCR or rapid antigen test performed 24 hours prior to entry.
In Iceland it is possible to enter for tourism by following two routes: a 14-day quarantine is observed or a double screening with two swabs and a 5-6 day quarantine in between (until January 31, 2021, the tests are free, after that you will have to pay 60-80 euros for the first one).
The Baltic republics Estonia and Latvia impose the 10-day isolation or double-testing procedure only on those from a country with more than 150 cases per 100,000 population in the past 14 days. The Lithuania instead imposes negative test and a 14-day self-isolation (10 with negative test done on day 10) on everyone.
