Tourists first become aware of the corona pandemic upon ARRIVAL - in all three federal states they must present a negative corona test or proof of vaccination upon arrival in their accommodation. In Lower Saxony, for example, if the incidence is between 10 and 35, tests must be carried out on arrival and twice a week. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, a negative test result only has to be presented upon arrival. In the northernmost state, there is resistance to this rule, which has only been in force since Monday. On Sylt, for example, there are considerations of maintaining the obligation to test by domiciliary rights.
And what was practiced at home also applies at the holiday destination: keep your distance, comply with hygiene measures and wear a mask. Many places have created their own posters and information material with the applicable CORONA RULES or developed one-way street systems at the beach entrance. In many places there are also digital services such as online beach traffic lights that show full sections of the beach or parking spaces. And beach chairs can now be reserved online in some places and opened with a smartphone, for example in Wangerland in Lower Saxony. Incidentally, beach chairs may not be moved in Wangerland or in other places. The minimum distance must also be maintained on the beach.
Into the blueTravel tips for the Baltic Sea: The most beautiful vacation spots between Flensburg and Usedom
Otherwise, the PANDEMIC-RELATED RESTRICTIONS naturally also depend on personal behavior, according to the tourism associations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example. If you almost only want to go for a walk on (less busy) beaches or explore the region by bike, you will be able to forget Corona for a few hours. In many places, however, the range of culture and experiences on offer is not yet as large as it was in the pre-Corona years. Access to some events is still regulated, said Tobias Woitendorf, Managing Director of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Tourism Association, for example.
Larger events such as the Störtebeker Festival in Ralswiek have been cancelled. In the other holiday regions on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, too, the program of cultural and sporting events is not yet running at full speed again. In contrast to last year, however, a lot more is possible.
Travelers Choice Award from TripadvisorThese are Germany's ten dream beaches on the North Sea and Baltic Sea10 pictures
PATIENCE AND CONSIDERATION is still important. Queues often still form in front of the bakery or the restaurants, for example - simply because not so many people are allowed in the sales room at the same time or the free choice of space even in the bistros directly on the beach could be restricted. Tables should also be reserved. This prevents frustration when looking for a free seat in the restaurant. And perhaps even more important than before Corona: If you cannot keep your reservation, you should cancel the table and free it up for other guests. Because there are still capacity restrictions in many places.
In addition to the Corona rules, which should apply in this or a similar way in many places in the republic, there are also special features that only have to be observed on a coastal holiday. "Frequent beach guests usually know the rules," said a spokeswoman for Föhr Tourismus. Newcomers here and elsewhere will often have signs advising them of what is and isn't allowed. BUILDING BEACH CASTLES, which is not only popular with children - often for reasons of coastal protection - is not always welcome and is at least subject to certain rules.
On the East Frisian island of Borkum, building in the sand is generally permitted - depending on the width of the beach, there is sometimes more or sometimes less space for it. It is therefore important to be considerate of other guests. Apparently, things are more severe on the North Frisian Islands and also on Rügen. On the North Frisian island of Föhr, signs indicate that holes must not be deeper than 50 centimeters. On Sylt, too, people don't like to build castles - but it's not about messy castles on the flushing edge, but about larger buildings. And in Göhren on Rügen there are maximum dimensions for beach castles. Building holes and tunnels is forbidden here.
Anyone who wants to light a cigarette, fly a kite or jump naked into the water to cool off after building the said Kleckerburg should also find out whether this is allowed on the respective beach section. In Wyk auf Föhr, for example, SMOKING on the beach is now prohibited except for a few sections. And similar to shaking out a towel - if smoking is allowed - be considerate and don't blow the smoke into the neighboring beach chair. And don't throw away the cigarette butt carelessly later on. Beach chair rentals and tourist offices in many places give out small beach ashtrays to take away.
