The top COVID-19 hotspots in Schengen area

As the first vaccines for COVID-19 are introduced around the world, infections continue to rise in many countries, including the United States, the UK, and Brazil. What is happening in Europe right now is particularly dangerous—of the 26-states in the Schengen area, many are experiencing rising rates of infections. As a result of increasing cases, travel to Europe during the coronavirus epidemic continues to be restricted, with many countries limiting or even refusing the entry of certain foreigners. Today’s blog will therefore provide an overview of the most recent coronavirus hot zones in Schengen area countries, providing critical information to anyone thinking of journeying to Europe. Finally, we will address the current Schengen visa requirements to determine if anything has changed as a result of the pandemic. 

Coronavirus Hotspots in Schengen Area

• Europe contains some of the biggest hot zone coronavirus countries in the entire world. At the moment, the American CDC (Center for Disease Control) categorizes the entire continent as being “High Risk,” and advises people to avoid travel to Europe during the coronavirus pandemic. 
• According to most official news sources, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany are currently four of the top 10 hot zone coronavirus countries in the world. 
• In addition to the above big four, hot zone coronavirus countries in the Schengen area include Belgium (which has one of the world’s highest COVID-19 mortality rates in terms of population) the Czech Republic (where the second wave has proved deadlier than the first) and Poland (which remains under lockdown until January 18^th). 
• The majority of European countries are currently experiencing a rise in cases due to the holiday season, which they have collectively responded to by tightening existing restrictions domestically. 
• Due to travel bans and other restrictions, you may face obstacles in applying for a Schengen visa to coronavirus hot spots in Europe. 

France 

• According to many reports, France has experienced the sixth highest number of coronavirus cases in the world (well over 2.5 million). 
• At the moment, France can be compared to its fellow Schengen hot zone coronavirus countries; over the past week, it averaged around 18,000 new cases per day; around the same rate as Germany, (over 20,000), especially when adjusted for population. 
• France imposed a second lockdown on December 16^th, which seemed initially to have helped the country gain ground in its fight against rising infections. 
• However, after originally declining to initiate new lockdown initiatives, France is now extending curfews and other restrictive measures in over 1/4 of the country’s 100 departments, including Paris. 

Italy 

• One of the first countries outside of China to be affected by the virus, Italy spent months battling the pandemic after emerging as one of the hardest hit states in Europe. Despite a welcome lull in infections, it is currently experiencing a second wave that threatens to overwhelm the country. 
• At the moment, Italy’s seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases stands a little over 17,000; in line with France and Spain. 
• Italy imposed a second lockdown in November, which is being extended throughout January. Curfews, regional travel bans, and other restrictions are in effect throughout the country.  
• Out of all the Schengen countries, Italy has vaccinated the most people: almost 600,000 of its 60.36 million population. 

Spain

• As expected, Spain experienced an influx of coronavirus cases in the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. 
• With the festivities officially over, the country is struggling to reduce infections-to pre-holiday levels. 
• This Monday alone, the country recorded over 60,000 new infections and over 400 deaths; at the moment, COVID-19 patients account for over ¼ of all beds in the country’s ICUs. 
• Spain’s seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases stands a little over 17,000— in line with France and Italy. However, this statistic looks worse relative to its neighbors when adjusted for population (for example, Spain has 13 million fewer people than Italy, but an equally high average infection rate).
• Having slightly relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in order to accommodate increased holiday travelling and gatherings, Spain is now reversing course and locking further down. The majority of the country’s 17 regions are now extending and tightening lockdowns, reimposing nighttime curfews, limiting social gatherings, and implementing internal travel bans within and across deeply affected regions. 
• Despite experiencing record-level snowfalls over the weekend, Spain is working to deliver thousands of vaccines to citizens; it has already inoculated over 375,000 individuals. 

Germany 

• Despite having the largest population in the Schengen area, Germany has handled the virus better relative to its less populous neighbors (recording 40,000 deaths compared to France’s 68,000 since the pandemic began).
•  Despite historically doing better Italy, France, and Spain, but cases are rising at an alarming rate. 
• Germany introduced partial lockdown measures for the first time in mid-December in an attempt to contain the second wave of the virus and avoid becoming “a new Italy.”  
• As a result of the failure of these measures to significantly reduce the number of cases in the country, Germany today intensified extant rules and imposed further restrictions. 
• In what amounts to an intensification of prior restrictions, officials have reduced the number of people able to gather privately. Originally, five people (from two separate houses) could meet; as of today, one house can interact with only one other person outside their bubble. 
• In terms of travel to the country, people entering Germany from any areas deemed “high risk” are subject to additional restrictions, including mandatory double testing and  five-day quarantines. 
• Finally, state officials now have the power to impose domestic travel bans for residents of high-risk areas in Germany on a discretionary basis. 
• As a resulted of the new restrictions, individuals from high-risk areas may effectively be reduced to staying within 15 kilometers from their respective address. 

Schengen Visa Requirements

• Despite what is happening in Europe, the traditional requirements for Schengen visas remain relatively the same.
• Traditional requirements for Schengen visa include the following: 
  • Schengen visa application.
  • Required documents and other supplemental materials.
  •  Biometric information.
  • Schengen visa fee.
• Different countries may have different Schengen visa coronavirus requirements. Check with the country you are applying to in order to determine if they are currently accepting Schengen visa applications. 
• Additionally, most countries in the Schengen area now require anyone entering the country take a mandatory COVID-19 test. 
• Other restrictions could include bans on in-person Schengen visa appointments, and other COVID-related embassy and consulate closures.