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American Travelers Are About to Be Pariahs in This New World

nerodog

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Germany has managed to contain its coronavirus fatality numbers somewhat due to substantial testing and contact tracing, but officials have seemed hesitant about letting tourists back in.
The fact that virus infections began rising in the country this week, just days after lockdown restrictions were eased, will have done little to ease concerns regarding reopening borders, although it was announced Wednesday that its frontier with neighboring Austria was being unlocked as of May 15.
Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel wishes to stop border controls in the Schengen area within weeks.
"The aim is -- if the infection process allows it -- I want to stress that -- that from June the 15th border controls in the Schengen area can be completely eliminated," she said on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Austrian Tourism Ministry says the chancellors of the two countries agreed to open the border in a first step for day trippers and commuters. A second step would see a normalized reopening as of June 15.
Germany remains closed to non-EU visitors, while many of its border crossings to neighboring states such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland are either closed or guarded.
Hotels are currently prohibited from accommodating tourists, and the majority of flights to and from Germany remain grounded.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has previously expressed concerns about reopening destinations too swiftly, stressing that European countries should come together to decide the best course of action.
 

nerodog

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Will continue to see if any news on this side!!
 
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nerodog

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The main recommendation of Brussels is that the resumption of tourist services should come in time for the summer season as long as physical distance is guaranteed and disinfection is reinforced.
With regard to restaurants, cafes and bars, the European Commission believes that “establishments must put in place specific measures to ensure physical distance in common areas where customers can meet for long periods of time - that is, more than 15 minutes – and the definition of a maximum number allowed in each common area”.
Another suggestion is to “consider the allocation of schedules or the provision of reservations for meals or for trips to swimming pools or gyms”.
And “when the physical distance cannot be fully observed, alternative measures must be considered to protect guests and workers, such as the use of glass or plastic panels and the use of masks”.

Apolonia News
A distance of 1.5 to two metres is then recommended by the institution “in all common areas” of establishments and, when this is not possible, the use of protective equipment is required, both by customers and by workers.
The same applies to outdoor locations such as beaches and swimming pools, in which “special provisions must be made to allow physical distancing and special hygiene measures are applied”, argues the Community executive in the recommendations made to the countries of the European Union (EU), who should decide on the resumption of their tourist services.
Brussels also argues that “larger events, such as concerts, should be postponed”.
Thinking of the countries’ decision to reopen tourism after stagnation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there must be criteria such as the need for the contagion rate to be below one, for the country to have guaranteed capacity in its health and testing system and to be able to monitor positive cases, highlights the European Commission in these guidelines.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, the vice president of the community executive with the portfolio “A Europe Ready for the Digital Age”, Margrethe Vestager, noted that these recommendations apply “to the summer and beyond”.
“It won’t be a normal summer, but if we work together and do our part [...], we won’t have to spend the summer at home,” said the official.
In these recommendations, the European Commission also points out that it is “likely that, due to the recent epidemic crisis, domestic and intra-community tourism will prevail in the short term”.
For this reason, Brussels insists on promoting proximity tourism, suggesting measures such as the creation of a voucher system, “through which consumers can support their favourite local tourist companies”, in order to provide them with liquidity.
The aim is that these vouchers can be “purchased by consumers from small suppliers who are closed in the tourism sector”, such as restaurants, accommodation or small hotels, to be “later exchanged for services when companies reopen”.

From the Portugal News
 

mav

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Hopefully they look at the USA because of all the children here in the United States with American fathers who were stationed there and married German girls. A lot ended up divorced, the kids stayed in Germany with Mom, and the kids come to the U.S. in the summer to visit Dad.
 

mav

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Nerodog,
I appreciate your updates. :) And no, it's this July 3rd., 2020. We go twice a year, every year, to Bavaria. That's why I'm so panicked !July 3rd is coming up soon :cry:
 

nerodog

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Nerodog,
I appreciate your updates. :) And no, it's this July 3rd., 2020. We go twice a year, every year, to Bavaria. That's why I'm so panicked !July 3rd is coming up soon :cry:
Yes Mav, its fast approaching... June 15th is a date thrown around... it will be cutting it very close. Have not heard when International travel will be opened here. It appears that the EU will open internally to each other but the logistics are still being discussed.
 

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Brett said:
Oh thank goodness.
I keep hearing about US citizens pretending to be from Canada when traveling, wearing "maple leaf' hats !
Brett: I don't think too many New Yorkers have manners that are good enough to pass as Canadiens. And we give ourselves away with jaywalking and pronouncing "out"

If they are trying to pass themselves off as Canadiens they will not be mispronouncing out as they will be speaking en Francais. And sorry but many Canadians and Canadiens are trying to keep the border closed until things seem more under control in both countries.
 

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Brett: I don't think too many New Yorkers have manners that are good enough to pass as Canadiens. And we give ourselves away with jaywalking and pronouncing "out"

If they are trying to pass themselves off as Canadiens they will not be mispronouncing out as they will be speaking en Francais. And sorry but many Canadians and Canadiens are trying to keep the border closed until things seem more under control in both countries. Don't take it personally.

apparently that's what some posters here are saying
Americans can pretend to be Canadians when traveling internationally but as soon as they open their mouth ...... ;)
 
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Tacoma

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Sorry mine was a comment on the spelling Canadiens which refers to French Canadians versus Canadians which refers to those of us who are English speaking.
 

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Sorry mine was a comment on the spelling Canadiens which refers to French Canadians versus Canadians which refers to those of us who are English speaking.

so noted.
Americans can pretend to be French speaking Canadiens when traveling internationally but as soon as they open their mouth ...... ;)
and
Americans can pretend to be English speaking Canadians when traveling internationally but as soon as they open their mouth ...... ;)
 

nerodog

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Germany..International travel tentatively start June 14th
How to get there: United is flying daily service between Newark (EWR) and Frankfurt (FRA) and between Washington Dulles and Frankfurt. American will have flights between North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Frankfurt (starting October 25), and between CLT and Munich (MUC) (starting on July 7). American plans to resume service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Frankfurt on June 4.
 
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nerodog

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Afar magazine on line has listed current info on France, Spain, Italy etc up through July.
 

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Government regulations in Austria currently require that all travelers to the country present a less than four-day-old medical certificate confirming their negative COVID-19 test results or else begin a strict 14-day quarantine to curb the spread of the coronavirus. However, as of May 4, passengers at the Vienna International Airport can opt to undergo COVID-19 testing inside the airport (at a cost of 190 euros or roughly US$250 each), allowing individuals with negative results to avoid two weeks of mandatory self-isolation.

There are no restrictions on travel to Ireland from the United States, but the Irish Health Authoritiesrequire anyone coming into Ireland (other than from Northern Ireland) to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.
 

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Thank you, nerodog for the info. Does this mean any US citizen can go, or is there a certain criteria you have to fall into? United Airlines is no help
 

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American tourists stand out in Europe by the way we dress, talk and our altitudes. IMO. One example look at the shoes American tourists are wearing than look at the shoes an average European are wearing. IMHO.
 

nerodog

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Thank you, nerodog for the info. Does this mean any US citizen can go, or is there a certain criteria you have to fall into? United Airlines is no help
I'm waiting to gather more info from the US Embassy. I'm not sure.
 

nerodog

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American tourists stand out in Europe by the way we dress, talk and our altitudes. IMO. One example look at the shoes American tourists are wearing than look at the shoes an average European are wearing. IMHO.
Shoes and baseball hats are a giveaway!!!
 

nerodog

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Thank you, nerodog for the info. Does this mean any US citizen can go, or is there a certain criteria you have to fall into? United Airlines is no help
Mav where are you flying into ?
 

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Hi nerodog, we are flying into Munich, and picking up a rental car. I really appreciate the help you have provided. We head to the countryside. And as for shoes, believe me, I don't look like an American tourist. I get my shoes from Kmart, and they are $6 bucks a pair on sale ;)
 

mav

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Yikes, just saw this on United's website under alerts:
By the order of Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, passengers are not allowed to enter Germany with the exception of:
  • Nationals of Germany
  • Passengers with permanent residence in Germany obtained before Coronavirus (COVID-19) or with a D-Visa issued by Germany
  • Husband, wife, child and registered partner of nationals or residents of Germany
  • Passengers with evidence that their travel is to perform a professional activity, e.g. commuters, diplomats, nursing staff, food industry personnel, specialists
  • Passengers in transit to their home country, if there is no other travel option. The purpose of travel and the entry requirements for the destination must be proved.
  • U.S. military personnel stationed in Germany and their family members
  • Merchant seamen who are going to sign up on board or leave Germany for the purpose of repatriation
Passengers allowed to enter Germany must proceed directly to their own home or other suitable accommodation to self-isolate for 14 days. This does not apply to merchant seamen without Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

.
 

nerodog

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Yikes, just saw this on United's website under alerts:
By the order of Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, passengers are not allowed to enter Germany with the exception of:
  • Nationals of Germany
  • Passengers with permanent residence in Germany obtained before Coronavirus (COVID-19) or with a D-Visa issued by Germany
  • Husband, wife, child and registered partner of nationals or residents of Germany
  • Passengers with evidence that their travel is to perform a professional activity, e.g. commuters, diplomats, nursing staff, food industry personnel, specialists
  • Passengers in transit to their home country, if there is no other travel option. The purpose of travel and the entry requirements for the destination must be proved.
  • U.S. military personnel stationed in Germany and their family members
  • Merchant seamen who are going to sign up on board or leave Germany for the purpose of repatriation
Passengers allowed to enter Germany must proceed directly to their own home or other suitable accommodation to self-isolate for 14 days. This does not apply to merchant seamen without Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

.
Hmmm....I wonder if this will change after June 15th or for July, August.
 

mav

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Nerodog, I sure hope it changes before that. Fingers crossed. I also forgot to add to my previous post, I don't wear a hat but I do carry an umbrella. I call it my "sunbrella";)
Also, a :hugto you nerodog, for all your help
 
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