EU announces plans to restore summer tourism
The European Union has unveiled a primary action plan to open internal borders, safely launch tourism and restore rail, road, air and sea links.
“We all need rest, especially after the coronavirus. We want to enjoy the summer holidays, we would like to see our families and friends, even if they live in another region, in another country, says Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market.
On June 15, the Brussels bureaucracy plans to begin removing internal restrictions on movement within the EU. The European Commission is developing a roadmap for the safety of beaches, hotels, campsites, cafes and restaurants. It is likely that the first opening of borders will occur through some “green corridors” that should allow the exchange of tourists to countries with safe or equal levels of coronavirus.
Such intentions were statedAustria.GermanyBaltic countries.
Some popular tourist destinations, such as Greece, are preparing to open the borders. The EU proposes to remove restrictions between member states that are "at the same level of coronavirus infection." As for open borders for “external” tourists, this issue has not yet been discussed.
Example plans:
France – at the head of the Coronapessimists – at least until July 24, any non-EU citizen entering France will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. The country is gradually opening shops, schools, hotels, restaurants and cafes, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that the border restrictions in the country are not planned to be removed.
Greece According to Prime Minister K. Mitsotakis, he hopes to see the first travelers on June 1. City hotels will open in early summer, and beach hotels will be closed longer. At least until May 18, entry into Greece from abroad is prohibited, and travel around the country, which from this date exactly plan to allow.
Spain The beaches may open in June, but from May 15, the country will introduce a quarantine for foreigners, and anyone who enters will have to be at home or in rented housing for 14 days. Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said: When we open up international tourism, we have to ensure that the person who comes to Spain is a safe person.
Italy It is expected to open at least to EU tourists by early summer, but there are restrictions on non-essential travel. Neighboring Austria and Switzerland support a "hard" blockade of Italy's land borders. From May 18, museums with strict social distancing rules and shops should open in the country, and hotels and restaurants should open in early summer. “I have never said or thought about closing Italian borders to tourists for 2020,” said Giorgio Palmucci, president of the Italian National Tourism Council (ENIT).
Germany is sceptical about the possibility of allowing tourists. German hotels are forbidden to accept tourists, border crossings into the country are closed. “A European race to open borders faster will lead to imminent risks,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to end border controls in the Schengen area in a few weeks. If the "infection process" permits, that date could be June 15.
The UK has imposed a 14-day quarantine for anyone entering the country from abroad, including locals, which has dashed all remaining hopes for a revival of international tourism in the coming weeks. In Britain, the priority course is to restore tourist trips around the country.
Portugal It offers tourists the scheme “don’t cancel, but postpone” – it is about the postponement of trips to 2021, which already indicates the “optimism” of the local tourism industry. The local national tourism authority is developing security badges for "clean and safe" travel businesses.
Croatia hopes to bring back tourists, who contribute up to 20% of GDP, but the borders will be closed until at least June 15. Non-citizens are expected to be quarantined. The most likely candidate for the Green Corridor is the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is working to develop green corridors.
Austria plans to return to "normal life" from May 29: all hotels will open for domestic use.
Switzerland - plans that border crossings with Italy, France, Germany and Austria, closed due to the pandemic, will open in mid-May, but ... only those who go to Switzerland for work and citizens of the country will be able to enter the country. Museums, restaurants and bars for domestic tourists will open at the end of May.
In Sweden They recorded damage from the absence of tourists, but the borders of the country are closed, and the time of their opening is not specified. Denmark The remaining restrictions will be lifted by the second week of June. Island Icelandpreparing for opening. Estimated date is June 15.
The Baltic states are planning to become a “green bubble” within their borders. Estonia. Lithuania.LatviaAnd that could happen on May 15.
Summer tourist season 2020 will not be normal for any of us. But if we work together, we won’t have to be stuck at home for the summer or completely lose this summer to the European travel industry, says Margrethe Vestager, vice president of the European Commission.
Source: tourprom