Lisbon. Portugal scores better than many other European countries with its extremely high vaccination rate. Photo: iStock
Shouldn’t Europe have whipped up the coronavirus long ago? We know what works, and with multiple vaccines available, strategic lockdowns, masking requirements, restrictions on social gatherings and a well-funded, universal public health system, Europe should be on top of that. Yet infections, hospital admissions, and deaths are increasing across the continent, and it is making travelers nervous. When you think of a trip to Europe in 2022, what are the prospects?
It’s not all bad news
Not all of Europe is in the same boat. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Croatia have the highest numbers of infections in relation to their number of inhabitants. Austria recorded the highest value ever on November 19, 2021. Germany’s highest value was just two days earlier. In the southern European countries – Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta – the number of cases is increasing, albeit at a much slower pace. Compared to Germany’s current daily infection rate of 66 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Italy has 17 cases, while in Spain there are 13 in January 2021. In Australia there are only five per 100,000.
Why the inequality?
In Germany, 68 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. For Austria it is 66 percent. In the UK it’s 69 percent. Less than 75 percent are considered too low to keep the virus from spreading. In Italy, Spain and Portugal, a higher percentage of their populations are fully vaccinated – 73, 80 and 87 percent, respectively. In the northern spring of 2021, the federal government imposed a tough lockdown, closed non-essential businesses and introduced a night curfew. These rules were relaxed later in the year and the relatively low vaccination rate combined with the more contagious delta variant is reflected in the rapidly increasing number of cases.
The Colosseum in Rome. Italy is another country with high vaccination rates and relatively low case numbers. Photo: iStock
The onset of winter is another reason for the increase. It is a pattern that formed in the northern hemisphere in winter 2020-21 and appears to be repeating itself in the current northern winter. We spend more time indoors, we are more likely to be in contact with infected people, and that’s a petri dish for the infection to spread. It has been shown that the northern countries of Europe have higher case numbers than those around the western Mediterranean, although these southern countries also have higher vaccination rates.
Both Germany and Austria have tightened their rules and require proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 for access to hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, leisure centers and cultural institutions. Austria requires a booster vaccination for anyone who has received their second primary vaccination for nine months or more. The country is closed to foreign travelers until December 13th.
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Are the Numbers Really Important?
It is not only the rising number of infections that raises the alarm, but the government’s response to these numbers is also important. The higher the infection rate, the greater the chance of bans, and visiting a banned country won’t turn out to be a fun vacation.
If the 2021 trend repeats itself in 2022, the number of infections in Western Europe can be expected to gradually decrease from around March through September, although there have been some anomalies, such as the July peaks recorded in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom .
There are many factors that could thwart predictions, and the coronavirus isn’t done yet.
What about Omicron?
A potent new variant, Called an omicron, has surfaced from southern Africa and set off the same type of alarm that the Delta variant caused when it first surfaced in late 2020. Although Omicron is sounding alarms around the world because of its mutations, little is known about whether it is more dangerous than previous variants.
Several European countries have introduced travel restrictions, not only for arrivals from countries in southern Africa, but also for travelers within Europe. Switzerland, for example, has ordered arrivals from Great Britain to a 10-day quarantine, while Spain has now banned unvaccinated travelers. If you are planning to travel to multiple countries in one trip, it is important to closely monitor the restrictions so that you do not get locked up or locked up.
Is it safe to even think about a trip to Europe?
When you think about it, certainly, but when it comes to making commitments, it might be better to hesitate for now. If you do decide to leave, there are strategies out there to help you be sure.
A country with low infections, a high percentage of the vaccinated population, and a solid health system is safer. You are also less likely to encounter locks. One of the best resources to help separate the winners is Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center website Here you can search for the latest information by country. At a glance, you can see if cases are increasing, how far they are from peak levels, and what percentage of the population is fully vaccinated.
Masks have been shown to be an effective barrier against infection. If local authorities recommend but don’t require wearing a mask, it’s a good idea to cover up.
Booster shots are introduced in several Western European countries. In the UK, more than 16 million people have already received a booster vaccination. A booster vaccination may not only be necessary to protect your health in order to ensure the freedom to travel.
Finally no rush. I am planning to go to Italy in May, and that’s enough time to see what happens to the infection rates.
See also: Europe’s most vaccinated capital is a tourist paradise
See also: Australians are too scared to travel and not because of COVID-19
