June 23, 2020
COVID-19 and WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SERVICES IN EUROPE
COVID-19 rules and regulations
As the world slowly opens up again, and tourists are returning to Europe to spend their holidays, new regulations and health prescriptions emerge. We want you to enjoy your wheelchair accessible holiday in Europe, feeling comfortable and safe. We keep a close eye on COVID-19 and accessible services in Europe, and any related new rules and regulations. Furthermore, we are in constant contact with all our local service partners throughout Europe to ensure these new regulations are followed. In this post, we tell you more about what you can expect.
Every country within Europe is handling the situation and aftermath of the novel virus COVID-19 differently. And although internal European borders are opening, external borders are still closed, and restrictions remain. Therefore, we advise you to check the official government website of the country you are going to and check the status, rules, and regulations that apply to you, as well as from your originating country. As we are in a developing situation, you find up-to-date and official information on the websites listed at the bottom of this page.
Some general rules will be put in place regarding tours, transfers and travel within Europe though. These are as followed.
New rules and guidelines:
- All vehicles will be thoroughly sanitized before and after the tour and transport.
- Drivers and guides are obliged to wear masks and gloves.
- Guests must wear a mask throughout their tour or transport, covering the nose and mouth.
- Hand sanitizers will be provided for in most destinations, although we encourage you to always carry your own
- At most destinations, the maximum capacity of the adapted vehicles will be reduced to comply with social distancing regulations.
- Most attractions, including the free museums and/or where wheelchair users are entitled to free entry, will be initiating an online booking and time slot system.
The majority of the touristic sites will require a temperature check upon entry. If your temperature exceeds the authorized temperature, access will be denied. It is obligatory to keep at least 1.5 meters distance (approx 5 feet) from other visitors. Gatherings are not allowed.
Check the latest detail on the official website of the site you plan to visit.
Official links
The world is ever-changing, and so are the rules and regulations in the European countries regarding COVID-19. Therefore, we strongly advise you to check the official links to see what applies to your situation.
- US State Department: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
- WHO Travel: https://www.who.int/travel-advice
- CDC Travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
- European Union: https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/coronavirus-response/travel-and-transportation-during-coronavirus-pandemic_en
- Accessible Tourism: (a collection of resources regarding travel restrictions in the accessible travel industry): https://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.covid-19
Keeping our guests safe and comfortable during your accessible European holiday is most important to us. If you have any doubts or questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
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