Europe has become the epicenter of the new wave of the coronavirus pandemic, registering 67 percent of the new cases of infection around the world. The situation is particularly tense in Central Europe, but in contrast with a year ago, health authorities are generally excluding snow sports from the range of measures that they are taking to combat the virus, focusing instead on indoor activities while promoting vaccination.
Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, told a radio broadcaster that the German government cannot rule out any new measures, including a general lockdown like in neighboring Austria, to stem the diffusion of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the number of cases continues to increase nationwide. In some states of the German federation, ”the situation is really dramatic,” he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State has recommended that U.S. citizens not travel to Germany and Denmark because of the recent surge in infections.
For the moment, individual German states like Bavaria and Saxony have put in restrictions for unvaccinated people, but the general closure of retail stores, hotels, restaurants and other businesses, schools, daycare centers and sports facilities is not yet being considered, except for individual facilities with particularly high infection rates. Like the stores in the state, ski resorts in the Bavarian Alps are still open, but they are requiring proof of vaccination or recent recovery from Covid infection for their guests, who must wear FFP2 masks in ski lifts and cable cars.
There are also no restrictions on travel under the latest German regulations, but German residents have been recommended not to travel to Austria, which imposed a hard lockdown on Nov. 22, because of a high risk of contamination. If they decide to go there, they must complete a digital registration form when they return to Germany or, if they are not vaccinated, they must undergo a 10-day quarantine.
It looks like a repeat of the previous winter season for the Austrian ski resorts, which rely heavily on German tourists. Non-essential stores, hotels and restaurants are closed in Austria, at least until Dec. 13. However, stores can offer click & collect and other services such as ski rentals, and vaccinated people and those who have recovered from Covid are allowed to participate in “public life,” including snow sports, wearing masks in ski lifts and cable cars.
Holger Schwarting, CEO of Sport 2000 Austria, said that its retail members have prepared themselves in the last few weeks to ensure safe rentals, offering also the opportunity to book ski equipment online in an uncomplicated way, with an option to cancel without paying any fees.
For the time being, operators of ski facilities in Switzerland are being allowed to impose their own regulations. In France and Italy, where strong restrictions on winter sports were ordered by the government a year ago, ski facilities, hotels, bars and restaurants are open for the moment to the holders of a sanitary pass because infection levels are relatively low. Wearing a surgical mask is mandatory except on drag lifts or while skiing or snowboarding in France for people aged 12 and older. The situation may change if what is shaping up as the fifth wave of Covid-19 gets worse.
