All Travel restrictions between Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France are to be lifted on 15 June 2020. Italy also wants to reopen its borders to tourists from Europe from 3 June. We spoke to Michaela Zingerle about what this means for mountain bikers who want to spend their 2020 holiday in South Tyrol.
BIKE Magazine: Michaela, the borders to Switzerland and Austria
are scheduled for 15 June.
open. Italy has announced that it will open its borders on 3 June. What do you think?
Michaela Zingerle: I think that's very good. We currently have hardly any new infections in South Tyrol and the numbers in Italy are also falling. Hotels are allowed to open from 25 May, but that won't help. We Italians are still subject to travel restrictions until 3 June. For example, I'm not allowed to go on holiday to Lake Garda right now.
Are differences planned between the various regions?
Nothing specific is planned. Of course, individual regions may have to temporarily close again depending on new infections. For example, anyone planning a bike holiday in Finale Ligure who has to travel through a "closed region" may only be able to get there with a registration and booking confirmation. It won't be that complicated for us in South Tyrol, as we are close to the Austrian border.
What is your forecast regarding the opening of borders?
Mid-June. Or the end of June.
That sounds very optimistic.
I know, but I'm sure our people will now put a lot of pressure on Rome, Vienna and Berlin as well as at EU level. We need tourism and the number of infected people is currently limited.
When the borders open, how should bikers prepare for holidays in South Tyrol?
Similar to Austria or Germany, gondolas will no longer be fully utilised, a safety distance must be maintained in the lift queue and face masks will be compulsory. In hotels, there will probably no longer be a traditional buffet, but waiters with mouth and nose protection will serve breakfast. In addition, such protection must be worn wherever there are people and a safety distance of two metres cannot be maintained. Even outdoors.
If there is a second shutdown or the borders do not open in June, will holidaymakers be able to cancel free of charge?
The borders will probably be open by then and the situation will have eased. If this is not the case, you can cancel free of charge at all bike hotels or, even better, simply postpone your holiday to a later date. Many other hotels do the same. We look forward to welcoming every visitor who cancels their holiday now. We are well prepared.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
