Travelling will soon be possible significantly faster by ferry from Skåne to Germany than they were used to. Another interesting piece of news is that, according to a scientific study, the risk of infection on aeroplanes may be limited. However, anyone who happens to be close to an infected person is of course at risk of infection.
Table of contents
Tallink makes changes to ferry services from September 2020
Tallink announces in a press release that for economic reasons it has decided to make changes to the autumn traffic. Here are some of the changes:
- On the line Helsinki-Riga Silja Serenade is replaced by Baltic Queen / Romantika from 14 September. Silja Serenade is taken out of service.
- The newly opened lines Tallinn-Stockholm and Riga-Stockholm will be operated by Victoria I from 6 September. Departure from Stockholm to Tallinn on Wednesdays and from Stockholm to Riga on Mondays.
Please note that the Swedish MFA still has an advisory for Estonia and Latvia, which can be lifted on 9 September.
New fast ferry link between Ystad and Sassnitz
In September, a new fast ferry service will start operating between Ystad and Sassnitz in Germany. The route will be operated with a catamaran that transports passengers in two and a half hours. The shipping company Förde Reederai Seetouristik, based in Flensburg, Germany, is behind the initiative. The ship will have room for about 700 people and more than 200 vehicles. There will be a restaurant and shops on board.
Sweden continues to attract tourists despite the coronavirus pandemic
Sweden ranks 10th out of 50 when countries are ranked according to how safe they are perceived to be. In a press release, Visit Sweden refers to a sub-study included in the global Nation Brands Index, which deals with how people in different countries perceive other nations. The sub-study asks how comfortable people feel travelling to different countries in relation to how the country has handled various health crises, such as Covid-19.
Airlines top the blacklist
The consumer magazine Råd & Rön regularly publishes the so-called "Black List", a compilation of companies that have ignored recommendations from ARN (the Swedish National Board for Consumer Complaints). Airlines top the list, and the "blackest" is Ryanair with 17 cases. Close behind is the airline Vueling with 16 cases and Turkish Airlines with 7 cases.
Study shows limited contamination in aeroplanes
A study published in the scientific journal the journal JAMA shows that the risk of COVID-19 infection on aeroplanes may be relatively limited. The study looked at passengers on a flight from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt on 9 March 2020. Among the 102 passengers, a tourist group of 24 people had been in contact with a COVID-19 infected hotel manager.
The flight took 4 hours and 40 minutes and no safety measures to prevent infection (such as masks) were used. A total of 7 of the 24 in the group tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival. Of these, 4 had developed symptoms on the plane and 2 had early symptoms. The remaining passengers on the plane were followed up after 4-5 weeks, and 2 cases were found that were likely to have been infected on the plane. These two were seated close to the infected group.
Reflection of the week
Now it is gradually starting to feel like you can start travelling a bit outside the country's borders, according to recommendations of course and with caution. For our part, we still prefer motorhomes.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Long weekend for motorhome drivers and a flying start for Air Gotland
Arne Lindh says:
The fast ferry was good news, especially since Stena has closed our favourite route, Trelleborg-Sassnitz.
31 August 2020 - 9:19
Ama de casa says:
Excuse me, but... "the risk of COVID-19 infection on aircraft MAY be RELATIVELY limited"? Well, that was clear as day. And the study is based on ONE flight? No, I don't care much for that study ...
We also prefer a car for now. To get to the continent, we have to pass a bright red "corona belt" in northern Spain, so we wait before leaving the country. Though Portugal is also abroad when I think about it... 🙂 .
31 August 2020 - 10:03
Daniel on FlyingDryden says:
However, considering the air filters and such on aircraft, it is probably one of the safer ways to travel when it comes to public transport. I also don't give much for such a simple and tight survey, but I buy that aeroplanes should be a reasonably safe place.
02 September 2020 - 16:18
BP says:
Totally agree with Ama's comments. As usual, Ryan Air is first on the blacklist. The company has held that position year after year, unfortunately.
31 August 2020 - 20:11